Gujarat’s batting core found the right outlet for expression on a fairly calm Murugappa surface, finishing with 396 against TNCAPresident’s XI on day one of the semifinals of the Kalpathi-AGS Buchi Babu all-India tournament.
After opting to bat on Wednesday, two of the team’s six Patels — Smit (97, 207b, 10x4, 2x6, 246m) and skipper Parthiv (64, 57b, 9x4, 1x6) piloted the innings. The home side arrested the run-flow in the final session with a few wickets, but Piyush Tanwar (39) and Chirag Gandhi(54, 47b, 7x4, 1x6) blended street-smart play with power-hitting to ensure Gujarat remained on top.
Their seventh-wicket stand yielded 89 runs in 101 balls.
Earlier, Smit’s opening partner, Samit Gohil (46), and Bhargav Merai (41) played decent hands as well. Seamer Sunil Sam bowled tirelessly for five wickets, while left-arm spinner Rahil S. Shah picked up four.
Cautious startThe morning session had Gujarat displaying circumspection, halting for lunch at 99 for no loss in 38 overs. Gohil departed in the last ball of the first over after resumption, Rahil tickling the off-stump with one that spun sharply across.
The second session, however, was decidedly more productive for Gujarat with 161 runs coming in 34 overs.
After Priyank Panchal was dismissed with his slap-pull being held at short mid-wicket,
Parthiv and Smit went about their business with dissimilar methods.
While Parthiv delighted in playing the reverse-sweep and the forceful lofted hits apart from his favourite dink behind square, Smit’s was a more measured approach.
Little wonder then that Smit was cross with himself after an attempted dab off Sam rested in the ‘keeper’s hands.
Parthiv, after a 77-run stand with Merai, was out in the second over after Tea. His crisp pull was smartly taken by Einstein Napolean diving to his left at short mid-wicket off Rahil.
Smart playWith Axar Patel and Merai exiting in successive overs, President’s XI must have sensed an early closure. That wouldn’t be the case as Tanwar and Gandhi ran the fielding team ragged with smart running and nifty stroke-play.
In the other semifinal, Assam was bowled out for 247 after electing to bat versus Hyderabad. J. Syed Mohammed (92, 173b, 6x4, 5x6) was the top scorer.
Leg-spinner Akash Bhandari claimed three wickets.
The scores (semifinals, day one):
Gujarat 396 in 99.1 overs (Smit Patel 97, Samit Gohil 46, Parthiv Patel 64, Chirag Gandhi 54, Bhargav Merai 41, Sunil Sam five for 95, Rahil S. Shah four for 131) vs. TNCA President’s XI. Toss: Gujarat .
Assam 247 in 90.1 overs (J. Syed Mohammed 92) vs. Hyderabad 20 for no loss in eight overs. Toss: Assam .
