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.
AS IT HAPPENED | RANJI TROPHY 2024-25 QUARTERFINALS DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS
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.
During Desai’s 92-ball 18, he was extremely watchful in defence, taking his promotion to No. 3 — he batted at No. 10 in the previous match — as an opportunity to showcase his utility with the willow.
Desai’s vigil ended when he nicked Chirag Jani to slip in the very 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 what he perceived to be 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 clip.
The only false note that Gujarat struck in the final session was Hingrajia seemingly letting his guard down and edging left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja to Sheldon Jackson at slip in the 77th over. It left the 26-year-old 17 runs short of a well-deserved ton.
“I was looking to play the ball on its merit. I knew that once I am set, I can score runs easily against the spinners,” Hingrajia said after play. “I always look to play according to the situation. Today, I thought it was important for me to stay at the crease for a long time and make as many runs as possible.”