The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Thakker, Parthiv Patel thrive on Delhi’s fielding errors

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Thakker, Parthiv Patel thrive on Delhi’s fielding errors

Special Correspondent

VALSAD: Delhi bowlers enticed the batsmen to dabble at the moving ball, but the fielders in wait for snicks and edges behind the wicket were on a different wavelength. And Gujarat thrived on Delhi’s fielding errors to post a challenging 310 for seven on the first day of the Ranji Trophy Super League match on Sunday.

Bhavik Thakker assumed the responsibility of consolidation after captain Parthiv Patel opted to bat, the duo cashing in on every opportunity to break the bowlers’ resolve in a 92-run fourth wicket stand.

Thakker switched from aggression in Parthiv’s company to caution after the specialist batsmen were gone, chipping in with 121 not out (202 balls, 303 minutes) on a fruitful day for Gujarat in the four-day league match at the Sardar Patel stadium.

Thakker’s innings included 10 boundaries and two swatted sixes off spinner Chetanya Nanda. He put his hands up when the chips were down at 28 for three and remained unbeaten at stumps.

Skipper rides his luck

The Gujarat skipper rode his luck to play an entertaining knock. His dismissal at 120 for four when in command at the crease, left Thakker to complete the unfinished work against a determined, but ragged Delhi attack.

Parthiv backed his top order batsmen’s ability to handle the medium-pacers on a lively track, putting them in the line of fire against Sumeet Narwal and Parwinder Awana’s ability to gain movement off the seam. Pradeep Sangwan was effective in his second spell, angling the ball across the right-handers. All three kept the batsmen guessing and wicketkeeper Bisht and slip fielders on their toes.

Bisht supported the medium-pacers with two catches in the morning off Narwal to send back opener Nilesh Modi and Niraj Patel, the second catch taken in front of first slip. Awana won a leg-before against Panchal, forcing Parthiv to take charge in the 16th over.

Delhi messed up an opportunity to strike back when Aakash Chopra reacted late in the slips to a snick by Parthiv off Narwal. The Gujarat skipper, on 39 then, edged again after speeding to 55 off Sangwan to Shikhar Dhawan. Sangwan shocked new batsman Sunny Patel with an outswinger, then cursed his fate as Bisht stretched his right glove out for a low catch but managed to block only the ball.

Delhi fielders in the close-in cordon dropped two more catches in the final session —Dhawan spilling a catch at slip, Nagar grabbing and letting go at gully.

The scores: Gujarat — 1st innings: P. Panchal lbw b Awana 13, N. Modi c Bisht b Narwal 1, N. Patel c Bisht b Narwal 4, P. Patel c Dhawan b Sangwan 55, B. Thakker (batting) 121, S. Patel c Manhas b Nagar 28, T. Patel lbw b Nanda 15, M. Parmar c Bisht b Sangwan 29, A. Makda (batting) 18, Extras 26; Total (for seven wkts. in 90 overs) 310.

Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-14, 3-28, 4-120, 5-183, 6-219, 7-280.

Delhi bowling: Sangwan 18-0-68-2, Narwal 19-5-47-2, Awana 14-3-45-1, Nagar 11-0-51-1, Nanda 25-2-76-1, Manhas 3-0-6-0.

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