Indore: Gujarat skipper Parthiv Patel (90, 146b, 12×4) led from the front and got good support from Manprit Juneja (77, 95b, 11×4) to help his side take a handy 63-run lead over defending champions Mumbai at stumps on the second day of the Ranji Trophy final here, Wednesday.
Parthiv played the sheet-anchor role before missing out on a deserving hundred, as Gujarat reached 291 for six at the end of the day’s play in response to Mumbai’s first innings score of 228. Gujarat would now look to consolidate their advantage going into day three with Chirag Gandhi (17 batting) and Rush Kalaria (16 batting) at the crease.
Having put on a solid 69-run stand with Bhargav Merai (45, 100b, 7×4), Parthiv added 120 runs for the fourth wicket with Juneja. Mumbai however, had something to cheer about in the final session when they managed to pick up three wickets including the important ones of the well-set Parthiv and Juneja.
Gujarat were under pressure after the fall of their in-form openers Priyank Panchal (6) and Samit Gohel (4) cheaply but Parhiv’s plucky knock put the pressure back on Mumbai. Both Parthiv and Juneja departed in quick succession to leave Gujarat at 254 for five.
For Mumbai, seasoned all-rounder Abhishek Nayar (3/91) yet again delivered when it mattered the most picking up crucial wickets at right junctures. He got a good support from paceman Shardul Thakur (2/67).
Brief scores
Mumbai 228; Gujarat 291 for 6 (Parthiv Patel 90, Manprit Juneja 77; Abhishek Nayar 3/91, Shardul Thakur 2/67). Match to continue.
PTI
