Gujarat defeated Mumbai by 5 wickets.
Gujarat won its first Ranji Trophy courtesy a captain's knock from Parthiv Patel on the fourth innings of the final, played in Indore on Saturday.
Gujarat had the first innings lead and just needed to play out the overs to ensure a win. But Parthiv and his mates had other idea. Needing 312 to win, Gujarat started positively but lost three wickets with scoreboard reading 89 and ample overs still to be played. But skipper Patel and Manprit Juneja settled the ship. Juneja was dismissed for 54 finally, but Parthiv went on to score a match winning 143 before getting dismissed just 13 short of the target.Gujarat cantered to the target with 5 wickets to spare.
For 41 times winner Mumbai, it was a story of so near yet so far. They tried to come back strongly after conceding a lead in the first innings, but it was Gujarat's powerful batting and missed chances in the field that cost them dearly.
"It was a dream we collectively saw before the season started," Patel said during the presentation. "So happy we have been able to achieve a Ranji Trophy victory. "I was taking my chances because, while chasing 312, I thought somebody has to play attacking shots. I am glad whatever chances I took they all came off."
The last few months have been very successful for the baby-faced Patel, who became cricket's youngest test wicketkeeper when he made his debut as a 17-year-old against England in 2002. He ended his test side exile after more than eight years in November when he was recalled for the last three matches against a touring England, replacing injured regular Wriddhiman Saha behind the stumps.
He was impressive with the bat upon his recall, scoring two half-centuries as India won the five-match series 4-0.
With Reuters inputs
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