Gujarat in commanding position

Gujarat have played themselves into a commanding position against Andhra at the end of the second day of the pre-quarterfinal between the two sides at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad. The home side reduced Andhra to 46 for two after putting up 499 in the first innings.

In the morning, Gujarat, who ended the first day on 247 for two, suffered early jolts. They were reduced to 295 for five, before captain Mukund Parmar (89) and wicket-keeper Pallav Vora (65) got together and put on 121 runs for the sixth wicket. Vora, who played an aggressive hand, hit eight fours and four sixes before being dismissed. Parmar too followed soon after - his patient knock lasting 191 balls during which he hit 13 boundaries. Brief cameos of 37 from SG Bhatt and 23 from BN Mehta meant that Gujarat ended up with a substantial total. The Andhra bowlers compounded their misery by bowling as many as 26 no-balls and five wides.

The Andhra reply got off to the worst possible start with opener LNP Reddy being dismissed for no score in the second over. Star batsman Amit Pathak stroked as many five boundaries to take the Andhra score to 43. His dismissal after he had made 29 meant that Gujarat could troop of a satisfied team.