Indore: Parthiv Patel (143, 196b, 24×4) scored the most significant century of his first class career as his power-packed knock enabled Gujarat to bulldoze defending champions Mumbai by five wickets for their maiden Ranji Trophy title here Saturday. Incidentally, this was the highest fourth innings chase in a Ranji final.
On one side, it was the 41-time champions, who have the pedigree but on the other hand, Gujarat had two international players in Parthiv and RP Singh, whose experience proved invaluable for the team throughout the tournament.
Parthiv’s 25th century was all guts which eventually brought glory when Chirag Gandhi slashed Shardul Thakur past the point boundary.
The oldest member with just seven weeks short of his 32nd birthday, Parthiv started celebrating like a child, so did their professional recruit RP Singh and the injured Axar Patel.
Resuming on 47 without loss, Gujarat, who had only featured in one previous Ranji Trophy final back in 1951 in the same city, were reduced to 89-3 before Parthiv and Manprit Juneja (54, 115b, 8×4) revived the chase with a fourth wicket stand of 116.
The 31-year-old, who hit some streaky boundaries at the start of his knock, then added 94 with Rujul Bhatt (27 n o, 77b, 3×4) for the next wicket to take Gujarat within striking distance of victory before he was out, caught and bowled by paceman Shardul Thakur.
“It was a dream we collectively saw before the season started,” Parthiv 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.”
Mumbai did everything they did, but to no avail. Their sloppy fielding also did not help. This is only the fifth time that Mumbai have lost in their 46 appearances in the Ranji final.
Agencies
