JAIPUR:
Gujarat
got themselves into a palpitating state during the first session of play and got back to their feet after the previous day's disappointment. The heavy weather conditions in the early hours saw four
Rajasthan wickets fall, or conspired to be taken, for 59 runs at the stroke of lunch on Day Three of the Elite Group 'A'
Ranji Trophy match at the SMS Stadium on Monday.
The outbreak was allayed by seasoned
Ashok Menaria (86* off 125), who once again stood tall and played the role of a grafter, to rescue Rajasthan. He had in
Shubham Sharma (42 off 101 balls) an able companion.
After lunch, as the situation became temporarily easier, the duo deployed their hits and brought up a crucial partnership before Nagwaswalla broke the 69-run stand.
Southpaw Menaria's powerful, supple and swift strokes existed largely in isolation as he ran out of partners and at one point gave the hosts the scare of conceding the first innings lead. "There wasn't much movement in the wicket, so I felt it won't be that tough to score, but after Shubham got out it became tough for me. At that time, I told myself that I at least have to ensure that I hold one end," said Menaria, who has amassed 295 runs from three previous matches.
Menaria was confident of left-arm seamer Tanveer-ul-Haq's (30* off 41 balls) batting ability, but having seen him throw his wicket a few times, he suggested him to keep things simple. The tailender utilised the opportunity and much to the amazement of his teammates, kept his cool and 'batted like he does in the nets'.
Critics feel that the left-hand batter lacks ability to convert, but Menaria feels he has been at the receiving end of multiple circumstances that are difficult to understand for those watching from a distance. "There are different match situations that trigger dismissals. At times the ball is so good or you run out of partners. You have to be in that situation to know exactly what difficulties the batsmen have to face."
Praising Menaria's effort in the middle, veteran Gujarat spinner Piyush Chawla said, "We started out really well and as a bowling unit we were good, but the way Ashok (Menaria) batted was brilliant. All credit to him."
Rajasthan had taken the lead of two runs when the stumps were drawn and the job of guiding Rajasthan's ship safely ashore met with the desired end.
Earlier in the day, the right-arm and left-arm combination of seamers Chintan Gaja and Arzan Nagwaswalla did the early damage as they sent packing opener Manender Singh (72 off 216 balls), Mahipal Lomror (32 off 73 balls), captain Robin Bist (0 off 3 balls) and debutant Aditya Garhwal (1 off 15 balls). At the centre of Rajasthan's disastrous run has been the failure of their captain who fell for a duck for the third time in the four Ranji games this season so far.
The match is headed for an inevitable draw, but with this match Rajasthan will open its account, courtesy first inning lead.
SCOREBOARD
Gujarat 1st innings 325
Rajasthan 1st innings (overnight 142/1): M Singh c P Patel b Nagwaswalla 72, M Lomror b Gaja 32, R Bist c Gohel b Gaja 0, A Menaria not out 86, A Garhwal c & b Nagwaswalla 1, S Sharma
c Merai b Nagwaswalla 42, R Singh c Merai b Chawla 9, Ul-Haq not out 30
Extras: (b 4, lb 4, nb 2) 10
Total: (122 Overs, RR: 2.68) 327/7
Fall of wickets: 1-92, 2-147, 3-147, 4-175, 5-185, 6-254, 7-283
Bowling: Kalaria 25-9-55-0, Gaja 31-9-91-2, Desai 13-2-37-0, Nagwaswalla 27-6-71-3, Chawla 23-3-53-2, Merai 1-0-4-0, Patel 2-1-8-0.