Gujarat prevail over Saurashtra in close encounter

In a well contested game, Gujarat defeated Saurashtra by 24 runs in the West Zone Ranji Trophy one day match at the GSFC ground in Baroda on Friday.

Put in to bat, Gujarat thanks to valuable knocks by opener Amrish Kotecha (42), Kiran Damani (45) and Bhavin Mehta (38) scored 218 before being all out in 49.4 overs. Wickets fell at regular intervals thanks in the main to some good bowling by Niraj Odedra who took four for 50 off ten overs.

Saurashtra started well and were 55 for one in the 14th over. But Lalit Patel and Tejas Varsani caused a collapse and Saurashtra were 107 for six. A seventh wicket partnership of 64 runs off 11.4 overs between Hitesh Parsana (39) and Sudip Mehta (42) revived Saurashtra's hopes but the late order succumbed meekly and Saurashtra were all out for 194 in 47 overs. Lalit Patel (3 for 35 off ten overs) and Varsani (2 for 26 off nine overs) caused the main damage.