Saurashtra has seldom needed to take care of brooding faces and drooping shoulders in Rajkot in current seasons of the Ranji Trophy. However on the finish of day two of its quarterfinal towards Gujarat on the Niranjan Shah Stadium on Sunday, the house workforce’s place compelled a downbeat temper.
That Gujarat managed proceedings for a second straight day was right down to Jaymeet Patel and Manan Hingrajia racking up wonderful half-centuries and steering the customer to 260 for 4 at shut. It has a first-innings lead of 44 runs with six wickets in hand. Jaymeet stays unbeaten on 88, and additional agony could also be brewing for Jaydev Unadkat’s males if he and Urvil Patel handle to get happening the third day.
A 3rd-wicket stand of 38 between Hingrajia and Siddharth Desai laid the groundwork for Gujarat’s sturdy present with the bat. It wasn’t a lot strictly by way of runs, however by chewing up 151 deliveries within the partnership after Gujarat had misplaced openers Aarya Desai and Priyank Panchal early on day two, the southpaws ensured that the sheen and hardness of the purple cherry wore off. Desai was extraordinarily watchful in defence throughout his 92-ball 18, taking his promotion to No. 3 — he batted at No. 10 within the earlier match — as a critical alternative to showcase his utility with the willow.
Desai’s vigil ended when he nicked Chirag Jani to slide within the first over after lunch. Hingrajia and Jaymeet constructed on the inspiration with a 133-run alliance that took Gujarat’s complete from 79 for 3 to 212 for 4.
Whereas Hingrajia’s knock embodied old-school endurance, Jaymeet pounced on boundary-scoring alternatives. An array of drives and punches by way of the off-side got here alongside early in Jaymeet’s innings, holding the scoreboard transferring at a good price. Urvil, too, made his intentions clear after Hingrajia’s dismissal for 83. Late within the day, he dispatched Unadkat for 3 successive fours by way of cowl.
The scores:
Saurashtra — 1st innings: 216.
Gujarat — 1st innings: Priyank Panchal c Vasavada b Jani 25, Aarya Desai c Harvik b Unadkat 11, Siddharth Desai c Jackson b Jani 18, Manan Hingrajia c Jackson b Dharmendrasinh 83, Jaymeet Patel (batting) 88, Urvil Patel (batting) 29; Extras (nb-2, lb-4): 6; Whole (for 4 wkts. in 95 overs): 260.
Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-41, 3-79, 4-212.
Saurashtra bowling: Unadkat 19-6-59-1, Kanbi 12-2-53-0, Jani 14-5-25-2, Mankad 10-5-14-0, Dodiya 13-4-32-0, Dharmendrasinh 19-0-57-1, Gajjar 8-0-16-0.
Printed – February 09, 2025 07:20 pm IST
