Kotak puts Saurashtra on top

After bearing the overstay of Gujarat tailenders, Saurashtra suffered more agony as opener Altaf Merchant made a flying visit. Bhavik Patel struck in his third over, inducing a Merchant snick which was held smartly by Kirat Damani in the second slip.

Bimal Jadeja, who opened the innings in the absence of indisposed injured Sudhir Tanna, was joined by Sitanshu Kotak. Thebonding they have soon this season will very soon inspire an adhesive company to endorse them. After their double hundred partnership against Maharashtra, the two left handers put Gujarat on a sticky wicket.

SCOREBOARD

GUJARAT (1ST INNINGS): Amrish Kotecha c Merchant b Rana 22; Nilesh Modi c & b Parsana 17; Mihir Sheth c Parmar b Parsana 48; Mukund Parmar run out 7; Kirat Damani c Bhambhania b Dhamecha 85; Keyur Padia lbw Bhambhania 0; Pathik Patel lbw Bhambhania 10; Vijay Patel not out 45; Bhavin Mehta c Bhatt b Parsana 10; Rakesh Patel C & b Prasana 55.

Extras: 13 (4b, 1lb, 7nb, 1w)

Total: 310 all out in 117 overs.

Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-58, 3-69, 4-187, 5-187, 6-193, 7-208, 8-223, 9-302.Bowling: Garsondia 13-3-25-0, Rana 26-5-84-2 (6nb, 1w), Parsana 37-10-89-5, Bhambhania 20-2-32-1, Dhamecha 7-0-23-1, Kotak 14-2-52-0.

SAURASHTRA (1ST INNINGS): Altaf Merchant c Damani b Bhavik 11; Bimal Jadeja batting 65; Sitanshu Kotak c & b Kotecha 93; Rajesh Garsondia batting 0Extras: 12 (1b, 3w,8nb)

Total: 181/2 in 61 overs.

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-178.

Bowling: Bhavik 8-0-27-1 (2nb); Rakesh 8-0-45-0 (6nb); 8-1-25-0 (2w); Mehta 18-3-45-0; Parmar 11-2-21-0; Kotecha 5-1-13-1; Damani 3-0-4-0 (1w).