Gujarat started their Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season in dominating style, defeating two-time champions Hyderabad by 126 runs in a complete victory on the Gymkhana Ground on Monday. In what was an exciting conclusion to the Elite Group B match, the hosts faltered of their chase of 297 on the ultimate day, falling prey to each poor shot choice and a very good bowling efficiency from Gujarat.
The house facet misplaced key wickets at common intervals, by no means managing to construct momentum. Left-arm pacer Arzan Nagwaswalla set the tone early, putting twice within the fourth over. He first eliminated skilled opener Tanmay Agarwal for simply 1, earlier than trapping Hyderabad skipper G. Rahul Singh lbw with the very subsequent supply, leaving the hosts struggling at 3 for two and instantly on the again foot.
Despite the early harm, Hyderabad’s hopes had been momentarily revived by opener Abhirath Reddy and seasoned campaigner Rohit Rayudu. The pair placed on a combating 64-run stand for the third wicket, with Abhirath displaying a mixture of persistence and aptitude, and Rayudu holding agency on the different finish. Their partnership briefly raised Hyderabad’s hopes of pulling off a dramatic chase.
Abhirath, who survived an early stumping probability off Rinkesh Vaghela’s bowling, performed some spectacular strokes on each side of the wicket, reaching his maiden Ranji half-century with a well-timed sweep. However, simply when it appeared Hyderabad had been headed to lunch in a cushty place, catastrophe struck. Rayudu, after displaying such persistence, misjudged a sweep shot and was bowled round his legs by Vaghela for 26.
The breakthrough opened the floodgates, and Abhirath adopted quickly after, falling to the identical bowler after making an attempt one other sweep shot, this time hitting it straight to the fielder at deep sq. leg. Hyderabad, from a promising 64 for two, went into lunch at a precarious 89 for 4 in 32 overs.
The post-lunch session introduced additional bother for the hosts, as Gujarat pacer Priyajitsingh Jadeja delivered a game-changing spell, choosing up three wickets for simply 10 runs. Jadeja first dismissed the well-set Ok. Himateja for 29, getting him to edge an outswinger to the slips. He then despatched Tanay Thyagarajan again to the pavilion, caught behind, leaving Hyderabad reeling.
Adding to Hyderabad’s distress, Gujarat’s left-arm spinner Siddharth Desai took two fast wickets, eradicating Aniketh Reddy and Chama Milind. These strikes ensured Hyderabad had no probability of a comeback, and Gujarat wrapped up the sport simply minutes into the prolonged tea break, securing a cushty 126-run win.
With this emphatic victory, Gujarat bagged essential factors to start their Ranji Trophy marketing campaign on a excessive. Hyderabad, in the meantime, can have a lot to ponder as they appear to regroup earlier than their subsequent conflict.
Brief scores:
Gujarat 343 & 201 all out in 62.4 overs (Umang Kumar 85, Siddharth Desai 32; Anikethreddy 5-36, Chama Milind 2-18) beat Hyderabad 248 & 170 all out in 59.1 overs (Abhirath Reddy 51, Kodimela Himateja 29; Priyajitsing Jadeja 3-23, Rinkesh Vaghela 3-52) by 126 runs
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