Gandhi ton rescues Gujarat

Mumbai, January 20 

Middle-order batsman Chirag Gandhi struck an unbeaten hundred, his maiden first-class ton, to help newly-crowned Ranji Trophy champions Gujarat finish at 300/8 against Rest of India in the Irani Cup at the draw of stumps on Day 1.

The 26-year-old, who came in at 55/2, was unbeaten at 136. He struck 18 fours and a six in his 159-ball essay, playing some fine drives and cut shots even as wickets fell regularly at the other end. Pacers Pankaj Singh (3/77) and Siddharth Kaul (4/73) did the maximum damage. 

Gujarat were in trouble at 81/3, with their skipper Parthiv Patel gone for 11. Gandhi and Manprit Juneja (47), however, resurrected the floundering innings with a stand of 109. Part-time bowler Akhil Herwadkar broke the partnership at the stroke of tea by dismissing Juneja with the score on 191. Gandhi, playing only his 14th first class game, then showed a lot of maturity in batting with the lower-order and helped the team reach 300.

In the morning, Pankaj Singh trapped opener Samit Gohil for a duck off the sixth ball, and then he had in-form opener Praiyank Panchal caught in the slip cordon. Kaul then accounted for Gujarat captain Patel, who chopped an away-going ball on to his stumps. — PTI

Brief scores: Gujarat 300/8 (Chirag Gandhi 136*, Manprit Juneja 47; Pankaj Singh 3 /77, Siddharth Kaul 4 /73) v Rest of India.