RANJI TROPHY | Panchal leads Gujarat’s riposte against Kerala with a sublime century

Priyank Panchal's unbeaten century propels Gujarat towards overcoming Kerala's first-innings total in the Ranji Trophy semifinal.

A sublime unbeaten century from opener Priyank Panchal helped Gujarat fight back and remain on track to overcome Kerala’s formidable first-innings total during their Ranji Trophy semifinal here on Wednesday.

Panchal remained unbeaten on 117 off 200 balls at the end of the third day, taking his side to 222 for one in 71 overs, 235 runs short of the visitor’s score of 457.

The 34-year-old forged a 131-run opening partnership with Aarya Desai to give his team the perfect start after Kerala’s bowlers found no help from the freshly rolled pitch.

Gujarat’s game plan was in stark contrast to the visitor’s, aiming to score as many as possible when the pitch was benign. Aarya and Panchal did not shy away from driving, accumulating quite a few runs through the vacant third-man region.

Basil N.P. provided Kerala with the breakthrough when he forced Aarya to inside-edge a wide ball onto his stump, when on 73. Panchal then took over the run-scoring responsibility, bringing up his 29th First Class hundred, with a six off Aditya Sarwate.

The experienced opener and Manan Hingrajia each survived edges that fell short, navigated the last phase of play and ensured the team had nine wickets in hand heading into day four.

Earlier, Kerala’s aim to prolong the innings suffered a blow four overs into the day when Sarwate’s off-stump was knocked back by Chintan Gaja, handing the Gujarat captain his 200th First Class wicket.