Ranji Trophy: Gujarat strike late to gain edge over Railways

New Delhi: Gujarat struck late with three quick wickets as they gained a slight edge over Railways in the race for the first-innings point on the second day of their Ranji Trophy cricket match here today.

Railways' reply to Gujarat's first innings total of 387, led by Saurabh Wakaskar's 93, seemed headed in the right direction though they lost the other opener Ashish Singh (36) early in the innings.

R P Singh then had Wakaskar lbw in the 50th over at Gujarat total of 168. From 168 for 1, the hosts slumped to 168 for four as they lost Faiz Ahmed (26) and nightwatchman Anureet Singh (0) in the space of two overs.

P Awasthi was the not out batsman -- without opening account -- when the stumps were drawn for the day.

Earlier, Gujarat lower-order rallied around Rush Kalaria's unbeaten fifty -- a 123-ball 80 -- to take the team total close to 400.

After Anureet had overnight batsman Manpreet Juneja lbw off the third ball of the day, and then bowled R P Singh five overs later, Gujarat were reduced to 296 for 8.

But, Kalaria, who came in at the fall of the sixth wicket, raised stands of 51 and 40 with Mehul Patel and Jasprit Bumrah for the ninth and tenth wickets respectively.

Gujarat innings came to an end when Anureet trapped Bumrah lbw to claim his fourth wicket.

Brief Scores:

Gujarat 1st Innings: 387 all out in 127.4 overs (Kirit Panchal 141, Rush Kalaria 80, Parthiv Patel 58; Anureet Singh 4/91).

Railways 1st Innings: 168 for 4 in 51.2 overs (Saurabh Wakaskar 93; R P Singh 2/43).