Gujarat batsmen fail again, need 54 more to avoid innings defeat.
Rujul Bhatt fought a lone battle as the rest of Gujarat batsmen fell for the second time in their Super League Ranji Trophy match against Punjab in Mohali on Thursday. With one day to go, Gujarat were 227/7 in the second innings, with Bhatt on unbeaten 93. Salil Yadav (0) was giving him the company. Gujarat need 54 runs more to make Punjab bat again. It, however, appears all over for Gujarat and only a couple of superlative performances can turn things around for the Gujarat team.
For the second time in the match, the batsmen let Gujarat down. The visitors started the second innings disastrously, after conceding a lead of 284 runs. Departure of Jay Desai (4) and Rikin Chauhan (9) brought the Gujarat middle order at the crease much earlier than what they would have liked. Both Love Ablish and MS Gony (3/87) bowled with lot of fire and purpose and made the life of Gujarat batsmen difficult from the start.
Gujarat heavily depended on their most experienced campaigners Niraj Patel (11) and Parthiv Patel (16), but they both failed as they succumbed to Punjab bowlers. Bhavik Thaker (31) tried to stabilise the innings but his departure even before Gujarat could reach the three figures all but killed any hopes that Gujarat had entertained to come back in the match.
Bhatt, however, did not give up and displayed his ability to bat on lively wickets. At the stumps on Day Three, he was unbeaten at 93. In company of Digant Popat (19) and Ashraf Makda (21), he added valuable runs. Bhatt slammed 15 boundaries during his 118-ball knock and took the team to a somewhat respectable score of 227/7.
Earlier in the day, Punjab were bowled out for 444, with Salil Yadav (6/123) emerging most successful bowler for the visitors.
"This is one of those matches we would like to forget quickly," said Gujarat coach Vijay Patel before admitting Punjab bowlers were up to the mark.
Brief Scores
Gujarat: 160 and 227/7 (R Bhatt 93*; MS Gony 3/87)
Punjab: 444
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