Published: Jan 03, 2017, 09:10 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 03, 2017, 09:10 PM (IST)
Jharkhand gave a tough competition to the favourites Gujarat as they excelled with both bat and ball on Day Three of the semi-final match of Ranji Trophy 2016-17. Playing at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur, Jharkhand were 214 for 5 at stumps on Day Two. Ishank Jaggi, who was unbeaten at the end of the day’s play, continued batting and scored a magnificent century to help Jharkhand gain the very crucial first innings lead. Later, Shahbaz Nadeem shone with the ball to get rid of the Gujarat top-order and help his team give a neck-to-neck fight with the opposition on Day Three.
After Ishan Kishan’s blistering knock on Day Two, Jaggi was the only set batsman at the crease with his unbeaten 40 as Jharkhand resumed batting. With him was Rahul Shukla who was yet to open his account. Jaggi reached his half-century soon on Day Three. He got ample support from Shukla at the other end in building a 69-run partnership. Jaggi’s batting showed intent. After Shukla departed for 27, Kaushal Singh took the crease and contributed in building the biggest partnership of the innings. The batsmen contributed almost equally and put up the 98-run stand. The duo took the team score to 340 for 6 at lunch with Jaggi settled at 105. Coming back from lunch, Kaushal got to his half-century.
Kaushal departed after scoring 53 while Jaggi stayed at the crease to help his side get the lead. He got out for 129. The lower middle-order hardly contributed and Jharkhand’s innings ended with 408 runs and most importantly an 18-run lead in hand. Veteran RP Singh was the most successful with the ball, bagging 6 wickets while Hardik Patel contributed with 2.
Samit Gohil and Priyank Panchal opened Gujarat’s innings. Panchal, who has been the highest scorer of this season, was caught in a terrible mix-up that resulted in his run out. Gohil continued batting along with Bhargav Merai. The duo provided stability to the team’s innings and brought up 50. Both looked strong to get to their half-centuries but Nadeem came into action after tea, getting wickets at regular intervals. Merai went back for 44 while Gohil, who scored a triple ton in the quarter-final, was denied his half-century by a run. Skipper Parthiv Patel was sent back for a solitary run and Gujarat lost 3 wickets scoring 11 runs. Gujarat ended the day with 100 for 4 and have an 82-run lead.
Brief scores:
Gujarat 390 & 100 for 4 (Samit Gohil 49, Bhargav Merai 44; Shahbaz Nadeem 3 for 36) lead Jharkhand 408 (Ishank Jaggi 129, Ishan Kishan 61, Kaushal Singh 53; RP Singh 6 for 90, Hardik Patel 2 for 108) by 82 runs.
