Ranji Trophy: Panchal's double ton puts Gujarat in commanding position

After making a first innings total worth 437 runs, aided mainly by Priyank Panchal’s fine double-century (232, 28x4, 2x6), Gujarat reduced Mumbai to 58 for three at stumps on the second day.

Priyank Panchal's double century included 28 fours and two sixes.

Gujarat took firm control of its Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy clash against Mumbai at the KSCA Stadium here on Tuesday. After making a first innings total worth 437 runs, aided mainly by Priyank Panchal’s fine double-century (232, 28x4, 2x6), it reduced Mumbai to 58 for three at stumps on the second day.

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The third wicket of Aditya Tare will rankle the 41-time champion in particular. With just three balls left in the day, Tare succumbed to an uncharacteristic rush of blood and was out caught and bowled to Karan Patel while attempting to hit the off-spinner out of the park. Tare and Shreyas Iyer had in fact looked solid until then. The duo had stitched together a 53-run partnership after Jasprit Bumrah had consumed both Jay Bista and Akhil Herwadkar to leave Mumbai tattering at five for two.

But with in-form batsman Suryakumar Yadav having suffered an upset stomach and dehydration, which entailed a visit to the hospital on Tuesday, Mumbai will have its task cut out. Yadav though is expected to bat on day three.

Earlier, Panchal — starting from his overnight score of 122 — and Manpreet Juneja were in no mood to cede ground. Such was the caution that the former hit only three boundaries in the first session and Gujarat made 79 runs from 37 overs. Vishal Dabholkar – who would ultimately finish with six wickets (six for 118) – trapping in front both Juneja and Chirag Gandhi in quick succession didn’t help too.

After lunch, Panchal seemed a transformed man. He collected 45 runs from 35 balls which included five fours and a six to bring up his maiden double hundred.