SrinagarSolid contributions from almost all frontline batsmen Wednesday powered Gujarat to drivers seat in their Ranji Trophy 2017-18 group B fixture against Jammu and Kashmir played at Lalabhai Contractor Stadium. The hosts ended the second day of the game at 276 for the loss of four wickets, meaning J&K have already conceded a lead of 15 runs on a pitch getting trickier to bat on by the over. With Gujarat already in the lead having six wickets still intact, J&K would rue the fact they couldnt make most of the batting friendlier conditions on the first day getting bowled out for only 261.
Resuming the day at 15 for no loss, Gujarat batsmen preferred method and hard grind over recklessness with none of them getting dismissed before crossing 25-run mark. The hosts batsmen failed to make big scores but did enough to give their side control on a turning pitch against J&Ks spin troika.
Gujarat openers Samit Gohel and Priyank Panchal provided their side a steady yet solid start putting on 71 for the first wicket before the former was caught behind to left arm spin of Amir Aziz. The right handed Panchal continued on to bring up his half century before falling to leg spinner Manik Gupta for 61 laced with eight fours and a six. Skipper Parthiv Patel followed him for 25 becoming Guptas second victim as the hosts had a minor hiccup at 131 for loss of three wickets.
Manprit Juneja was joined by Rujul Bhat at the crease and the pair solidified Gujarats position with a 103-run stand for the fourth wicket. Juneja unfurled some beautiful strokes and Bhat was dogged in his defence as J&K bowlers-spinners in specific- toiled hard but luck didnt favour them beating the edges either side many a times.
Wickets were hard to come by with star spinner and skipper Parvez Rasool lacking control and venom which pegged his side back. He, however, had a late success having Bhat caught by Shubham Khajuria for 33.
Having broken the partnership, J&K would have harboured hopes of denting Gujarat but Chirag Gandhi played a breezy cameo of 31 laced with five fours to drive his side past the visitors first innings score of 261. On the other end, Junega didnt do anything silly to go to the stumps undefeated on 148-ball 66 with Gandhi in company.
Already in lead and six wickets in the shed and a deteriorating pitch, Gujarat would hope to bat only once in the game and pile on the misery on J&K. On the other hand, the visitors would hope for early wickets to limit Gujarats lead to something manageable.
Brief scores: Gujarat 276/4 (Manprit Juneja 66*, Priyank Panchal 61; Manik Gupta 2-68, Parvez Rasool 1-61) lead Jammu & Kashmir 261 (Ahmed Bandy 54, Shubham Khajuria 54; Piyush Chawla 5-92, Hardik Patel 3-57) by 15 runs.
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