Player of the Match Priyank Panchal (Gujarat) who struck a stellar 171 in the first innings.
SCOREBOX: Goa, 1st innings. 317 in 84.2 overs (Darshan Misal 89, Mohit Redkar 80; Chintan Gaja 3-56) & 2nd innings. 143 in 37.4 overs (Darshan Misal 39; Priyajitsinh Jadeja 3-29) vs Gujarat, 1st innings. 346 in 96.5 overs (Priyank Panchal 171; Arjun Tendulkar 4-49) & 2nd innings. 117-3 in 29.3 overs (Het Patel 46*, Aditya Patel 38*). Gujarat won by seven wickets
PANAJI
A second-innings capitulation for 143 by Goa resulted in the hosts succumbing to a seven-wicket loss against Gujarat in a seventh-round Ranji Trophy Elite Group C clash at the Goa Cricket Association Academy in Porvorim on Sunday.
With the result, Goa also faced the ignominy of being relegated to the Plate Group next season by virtue of being the 31st placed team at the end of the league stages of the campaign.
Gujarat, who began the morning at a healthy 281-5, lost two quick wickets courtesy a fiery opening burst from Arjun Tendulkar. The 24-year-old speedster first cleaned up Ravi Bishnoi on his overnight score of 30, and then got the Gujarat captain Chintan Gaja leg before for 2 as the visitors were reduced to 286-7, still trailing the hosts by 31 runs.
Goa who were in need of at least a point to avoid relegation given other match scenarios as well, were pretty much in with the opportunity. But Arjun had no support from the other end with neither Lakshay Garg or Heramb Parab able to make the new ball count.
Priyank Panchal departed after scoring 171 (267b, 17x4, 4x6, 432m) with Gujarat trailing by only a run. Siddarth Desai made 10 before being the ninth wicket to fall at 326 while Arzan Nagwaswala along with last man Priyajitsinh Jadeja forged a 20-run last wicket stand.
In reply, Goa lost opener Suyash Prabhudessai first ball caught behind by a well-directed lifter from Gujarat pacer and captain, Chintan Gaja. Nagwaswala removed Amogh Desai, playing his farewell innings, as he edged to the keeper. K V Siddarth also went for no score as Gaja claimed his second scalp in a similar pattern.
Goa were rocked early with three batters back in the hut with just 10 on the board inside 5 overs, and still trailing the visitors by 9 runs. Goa went to lunch with their backs against the wall at 30-3, only a run ahead with Manthan on 6 and Snehal Kauthankar starting well and on 18 with three well-timed boundaries.
Upon resumption, the free fall of Goa wickets in their second dig continued with Kauthankar castled by Jadeja for 29 and Deepraj Gaonkar playing on for a blob off the same bowler. Goa were in tatters at 49-5 and an early finish was on the anvil.
Manthan Khutkar who endured a wretched season made his highest score this campaign contributing 25 before being the sixth Goa wicket to fall on 79 with slow bowler Siddarth Desai joining in the fun. Poor shot selection and an injudicious decision for a run led to the free fall of other wickets.
Goa captain, Darshan Misal top scored in the innings with 39 before becoming Jadeja's third victim. Arjun went for a non-existent run to be run out for 14. Mohit Redkar was caught and bowled by Siddarth for 9, and Heramb Parab brought the sorry innings to a close on143; caught at first slip by Priyank Panchal off leggie Ravi Bishnoi. Lakshay Garg stayed unbeaten on 12.
Set a target of 115 to win, Gujarat faced a few early hiccups but won rather handsomely in the end with the third session extended further and beyond 5 pm with 19 runs still required for a result.
First innings centurion, Panchal went early for 12, cleaned up by pacer Deepraj Gaonkar. Sunpreet Bagga bagged a pair, when he was taken at deep fine leg by Garg off Heramb Parab as Gujarat were reduced to 22-2. In an interesting movie, Ravi Bishnoi came in at four. He was dropped on 10 at long on by Suyash, but eventually was dismissed by speedster Arjun, taken at fine leg by Darshan as the visitors were reduced to 49-3 in the 16th over.
Opener Aditya Patel (38*, 85b, 4x4) and keeper-batter Het Patel (46*, 36b, 4x4, 3x6) took the visitors across the line with an unbroken 68-run fourth wicket stand. Gujarat opener Priyank Panchal was adjudged the Player of the Match.
