A sparkling 173 by Neeraj Patel propelled Gujarat to a commanding 406 against Hyderabad, who were struggling at 63 for 2 after conceding a massive first innings lead of 201 runs in the Elite B Ranji Trophy tie in Hyderabad on Monday.
Hyderabad scored 205 in the first innings and were 63 for 2 at stumps on the penultimate day in reply to Gujarat's first inning score of 406.
Resuming at overnight score of 225 for 2, Gujarat batsmen Neeraj and Bhavik Thaker took from where they left and added 101 runs before Thaker was stumped by Ibrahim Khaleel off the bowling of Ojha for a well made 56.
Thaker's 56 came off 136 balls during his 172 minute stay at the wicket with three hits to the fence and one huge six.
Neeraj continued the onslaught and found an able partner in Timi Patel (36) as the duo added 63 runs for the fifth wicket before Neeraj was stumped by Ibrahim Khaleel to give Ojha one more wicket.
Neeraj's 173 was the result of his patient stay at the wicket for 461 minutes. He faced 317 balls and hit 18 fours.
Hyderabd bowlers Ojha and P Reddy quickly got rid of the Gujarat tail by claiming four wickets apiece and the visitors declared their innings at 406 for nine.
Starting with a 201-run deficit, the hosts were cautious in their second essay but lost opener Suman and skipper Anirudh Singh (22) and were reeling at 63 for two at close.
Opener Ravi Teja on 27 along with Aambati Rayudu (0) were at the crease. Hosts have a deficit of 138 runs with eight wickets on hand and one day play left.
Gujarat, having gained first innings lead, have already assured of two points in their kitty and will be pressing for outright victory while hosts will put in all efforts to complete the deficit and make guests bat again.
Scorecard
Hyderabad Ist innings: 205
Gujarat Ist innings: (overnight 225 for 2)
N Modi c Vinay Kumar b P I S Reddy 17
A Bilakhla c Suman b Yadav 72
N Patel c Rayudu b Ojha 173
B Thanker st T Khaleel b P I S Reddy 56
P Patel c T Khaleel b Ojha 6
T Patel st T Khaleel b Ojha 36
H Watekar c Vinay Kumar b Ojha 7
A Makda b P I S Reddy 2
J Makia (not out) 13
H Majmudar lbw b P I S Reddy 0
A Singh (not out) 10
Extras (b-8, lb-2, nb-3) 13
Total (9 wickets declared in 146 overs) 406
Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-176, 3-277, 4-302, 5-366, 6-372, 7-380, 8-382, 9-382.
Bowling: Singh 12-4-34-0, Reddy 29-7-91-0, Ojha 54-10-136-4, Reddy 37-6-95-4, Suman 2-1-3-0, Yadav 9-1-28-1, Ravi Teja 3-0-9-0
Hyderabad 2nd innings
T Suman c PA Patel b Majmudar 7
D Ravi Teja not out 27
Anirudh Singh c Makla b TK Patel 22
A Rayudu not out 0
Extras (lb 3, nb 4) 7
Total (2 wickets; 34 overs) 63
Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-62
Bowling: Makda 10-3-15-0, Majmudar 6-1-12-1, Singh 8-1-15-0, Makla 4-1-13-0, Patel 4-3-4-1, Watekar 2-1-1-0
