Gujarat make solid start; reach 200 for two against Maharashtra

Nashik, Jan 2 (UNI) Neeraj Patel with a fine unbeaten 92 and his 119-run second wicket partnership with opener Nilesh Modi put Gujarat in command against Maharashtra on the opening day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Elite Division Group 'B' match at the Golf Club ground here today.

At close of play, Neeraj was giving company to captain Parthiv Patel with 5.

Electing to bat first, Gujarat were given a solid start by openers Nilesh Modi and A Bilakhiya, who put on 62 runs before the latter was trapped in front of the wicket by leg spinner Sairaj Bahutule for 36, which came in a stay of 103 balls and had 4 hits to the fence.

Modi was then joined by Patel. The two slowly built up a huge stand, mixing aggression with caution.

However, when the score reached 181, a mix up between the two cost Modi his wicket as Sriram got him run out with a direct throw for 57. His knock came in a marathon stay of 219 balls and included five boundaries in it.

At the other end, Neeraj kept on strongly, reaching 92, when stumps were drawn for the day. Neeraj has so far faced 189 balls and hit 15 sweetly timed fours in it.

Following is the scoreboard: Gujarat First Innings: N Modi run out (Sriram) 57 A Bilakhia lbw b S Bahutule 36 N Patel not out 92 P Patel not out 05 Extras: (b 1, lb 5, w 1, nb 3) 10 ------ Total: (2 wickets; 90 overs) 200 Fall of wickets: 1-62, 2-181 Bowling A Sanclecha 16-3-58-0 S Burkul 25.4-8-55-0 S Bahutule 21.2-9-38-1 R Jadhav 23-7-35-0 S Sriram 4-1-8-0 UNI