Haryana beat Gujarat, enter knock-out stage

Haryana bowlers bundled out Gujarat for a paltry 160 to register an outright victory in their Ranji Trophy Elite division match and advanced to the knock-out stage of the tournament.

Surat: Haryana bowlers on Saturday bundled out Gujarat for a paltry 160 to register an outright victory in their Ranji Trophy Elite division match here at Lalabhai Contractor Stadium and advanced to the knock-out stage of the tournament.

The visitors, by virtue of a bonus point, increased their tally to 14 and became the third team after Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu from the Group B to enter the knock-out stage. Gujarat, meanwhile, have been relegated to the Plate Division after they managed to earn just eight points from the tournament and finished at the bottom. Chasing a stiff target of 300 to win on the last day, Gujarat resumed from overnight 34 for one but lost opener Jasal Karia (19) in the second over of the day to Ashish Hooda. Harshal Patel, who yesterday accounted for the wicket of Priyank Panchal, struck a vital blow to send Parth Parikh back to the hut to leave the hosts reeling at three for 47. Niraj Patel`s (2) dismissal in the next over made the situation even worse. Bhargav Merai (47) and skipper Parthiv Patel (22) tried to resurrect the Gujart innings with a valiant 55-run partnership for the fifth wicket but, with Parthiv succumbing to Amit Mishra in the 41st over, it was all but over for the hosts, who lost Pratharesh Parmar (4) and Manprit Juneja (1) in quick succession to put Haryana on top. Makda provided some entertainment with the bat as he hit a four and a six during his 23-ball stay at the crease, but could not hold the fort for long as the hosts fell 140-run short of the target. For Haryana, skipper Amit Mishra and Jayant Yadav shared three wickets apiece. Brief scores: Haryana: 207 & 321 for five Gujarat: 228 & 160 all out in 64 overs (Bhargav Merai 47; Amit Mishra 3/25, Jayant Yadav 3/37). PTI