Opener Azhar Bilakhia scored a gritty ton as Gujarat logged two points by virtue of a first innings lead in their four-day Ranji Trophy elite group B match against Bengal that ended in a tame draw in Kolkata on Wednesday.
Bilakhia struck 122 (303b, 15x4) as Gujarat reached 302 for 4 on a dull day before the match was called off four minutes into the post-tea session at the Eden Gardens.
Gujarat, who notched up 329 in their opening essay, took a three run lead as Bengal managed 326 in their first innings.
Bilakhia played some exquisite strokes on way to his hundred which he completed with a cover drive of Laxmi Ratan Shukla. The landmark was reached of 271 balls in 391 minutes.
However, Bilakhia proved lucky twice as he was dropped in quick succession on his individual scores of 76 and 78 by Arindam Das in slip.
Eklakh Ahmed was the hapless bowler on the first occasion, and Ranadeb Bose was next.
Resuming at 119/1 overnight, Gujarat lost Niraj Patel (41) with the team total on 147, as pacer Ranadeb Bose got him caught behind.
Skipper Parthiv Patel (35) played a strokeful knock studded with half a dozen fours and added 49 for the third wicket with Bilakhia.
Once Parthiv got out, Bilakhia and an aggressive Bhavik Thaker (61 not out; 6x4, 2x6) stitched together an 82-run stand that ended with Bilkahia's dismissal.
Hemal Watekar was in the middle on 12 along with Thaker when the match was stopped.
Gujarat, who badly needed points, are now on four from the same number of matches. On the other hand, Bengal remain on six from three outings.
