Jaymeet, Hingrajia put Gujarat in complete command

Gujarat dominates Saurashtra in Ranji Trophy quarterfinal with strong batting performance, leaving home team in a tough spot.

Saurashtra has seldom had to contend with brooding faces and drooping shoulders in Rajkot in recent seasons of the Ranji Trophy. But at the end of day two of its quarterfinal against Gujarat at the Niranjan Shah Stadium on Sunday, the home team’s position compelled a downbeat mood.

That Gujarat controlled proceedings for a second straight day was down to Jaymeet Patel and Manan Hingrajia racking up excellent half-centuries and steering the visitor to 260 for four at close. It has a first-innings lead of 44 runs with six wickets in hand. Jaymeet remains unbeaten on 88, and further agony may be brewing for Jaydev Unadkat’s men if he and Urvil Patel manage to get going on the third day.

A third-wicket stand of 38 between Hingrajia and Siddharth Desai laid the groundwork for Gujarat’s strong show with the bat. It wasn’t much strictly in terms of runs, but by chewing up 151 deliveries in the partnership after Gujarat had lost openers Aarya Desai and Priyank Panchal early on day two, the southpaws ensured that the sheen and hardness of the red cherry wore off. Desai was extremely watchful in defence during his 92-ball 18, taking his promotion to No. 3 — he batted at No. 10 in the previous match — as a serious opportunity to showcase his utility with the willow.

Desai’s vigil ended when he nicked Chirag Jani to slip in the first over after lunch. Hingrajia and Jaymeet built on the foundation with a 133-run alliance that took Gujarat’s total from 79 for three to 212 for four.

While Hingrajia’s knock embodied old-school patience, Jaymeet pounced on boundary-scoring opportunities. An array of drives and punches through the off-side came along early in Jaymeet’s innings, keeping the scoreboard moving at a fair rate. Urvil, too, made his intentions clear after Hingrajia’s dismissal for 83. Late in the day, he dispatched Unadkat for three successive fours through cover.

The scores:

Saurashtra — 1st innings: 216.