Gujarat’s batting lineup showcased resilience and determination on the opening day of their Buchi Babu Memorial All India invitational cricket tournament match against TNCA President’s XI. Despite losing four wickets early on, they rallied to end the day on a strong note, scoring 321 for seven wickets.
Left-handed batsman Jaymeet Patel played a pivotal role in Gujarat’s recovery. Coming in at number six, he struck an unbeaten 125 runs off 214 deliveries, including 11 boundaries and two sixes. His innings was a display of both power and finesse, as he punished loose deliveries and rotated the strike effectively.
Patel’s partnership with Kshitij Patel (62 runs off 106 balls) was crucial in stabilizing Gujarat’s innings. The duo put on a 73-run stand for the fifth wicket, providing a solid foundation for the team’s recovery. Kshitij’s contribution was characterized by his ability to score runs off the backfoot, hitting all his boundaries in that manner.
After Kshitij’s dismissal, Jaymeet Patel continued to anchor the innings, finding an able ally in Urvil Patel (33 runs). Together, they added 70 runs for the sixth wicket, further consolidating Gujarat’s position. However, Urvil’s run-out at the non-striker’s end brought an end to their partnership.
The TNCA President’s XI bowlers had a strong start to the day, with left-arm spinner M. Siddharth claiming four wickets before lunch. The turning pitch and close-in fielders created challenges for Gujarat’s batsmen, but Jaymeet Patel and Kshitij Patel managed to overcome these obstacles.
In the latter stages of the day, Dhrushant Soni (44 runs) provided valuable support to Jaymeet Patel. The pair put on 101 runs for the seventh wicket, extending Gujarat’s lead and putting them in a commanding position heading into day two.
