Ranji Trophy: Dhurv`s fifer guides Gujarat to win over Punjab

Valsad: Left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhurv`s five-wicket haul wrecked the formidable Punjab as Gujarat rose to second on the points table after a 37-run win in their Ranji Trophy Group A encounter here on Tuesday.

Chasing 231 to win on the final day, Punjab folded for 193 in 57.5 overs. With this win, Gujarat took their points tally to 21 after two and five draws in the seven matches they have played so far. Punjab are, however, through to the quarterfinals as table-toppers after accumulating 32 points in the league engagements that ended today. Punjab`s chase did not get off to the best of starts as their openers departed with just 11 on the board before number four batsman Mandeep Singh brought the innings back on track with a 64-ball 42 which included four fours and a six. Gurkeerat Singh (30) and Amitoze Singh (20) made some decent contribution to take the team past 100 after the middle-order failure. At 130 for nine, Punjab didn`t seem to have much of chance before a last-wicket stand of 65 between Sarabjit Ladda (29) and Sandeep Sharma (31) gave Gujarat the jitters. But Dhurv completed his five-for by dismissing Sarabjit to seal the win for Gujarat. Brief Scores: Gujarat: 266 and 232 (Sarabjit Singh 4-112). Punjab: 268 and 193 in 57.5 overs (Mandeep 42, Sandeep 31, Dhurv 5-76). PTI