Akshar shines as Gujarat beat Odisha by 166 runs in Ranji

Motera: Allrounder Akshar Patel shone with both bat and ball as Gujarat bundled out Odisha for a paltry 83 in their second innings to notch up a massive 166-run victory in their Ranji Trophy Group A match here on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old top-scored with an unbeaten 54-run innings and then returned with a five-wicket haul as Gujarat grabbed six valuable points to be at the second place, behind Karnataka, in the points table. Earlier, Rakesh Dhruv completed a six wicket haul by getting rid of overnight batsmen B Mohanty (5) and Dhiraj Singh (0) quickly to dismiss Odisha for 367 in 144.2 overs in their first innings. Gujarat then came out to bat but the hosts lost their openers -- Parthiv Patel (18) and PK Panchal (5) in 5.2 overs. Akshar then took the onus on himself and stayed till the end with a 48-ball 54-run partnership. His innings was studded with two sixes and a four. However, Gujarat lost CJ Gandhi (0) for a duck and Govind Podder got rid of JB Karia (18). After that, the hosts suffered two run-out dismissals before declaring at 137-7 in 22 overs. Needing 250 to win, Odisha started their second innings on a disappointing note as they lost wickets in a heap and half of their side was back in the pavillion for 44. With the bowlers led by Akshar (5/23) and pacer Jasprit Bumrah (3/26) keeping a tight line, the visitors continued losing wicket and were eventually bowled out in 46.5 overs. Brief Score: Gujarat 479/8d & 137/7d in 22 overs (Akshar Patel 54; B Mohanty 1/49) Odisha: 367 & 83 in 46.5 overs (G B Podder 27; Akshar Patel 5/23).