Ranji Trophy: Samit Gohil in prestigious company

Gujarat’s opening batsman Samit Gohil on Tuesday broke a 117-year-old record in First Class cricket by notching up the highest score while carrying the bat through the innings of 359 during his team’s Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Odisha.

While Hanif Mohammed’s epic 499 remains the highest score by an opener in First Class cricket, no one has scored more than Gohel while remaining not out.

Gujarat’s opening batsman Samit Gohil on Tuesday broke a 117-year-old record in First Class cricket by notching up the highest score while carrying the bat through the innings of > 359 during his team’s Ranji Trophy quarterfinal against Odisha.

While Hanif Mohammed’s epic 499 remains the highest score by an opener in First Class cricket, no one has scored more than Gohil while remaining not out.

Gohil, in fact, eclipsed the previous best of 357 by Surrey’s Bobby Abel against Somerset, way back in 1899 at the Oval.

“I did not know it was a world record. The idea was to bat as long as possible. Coach sir (Vijay Patel) and Parthiv bhai (skipper Parthiv Patel) ne bola thaa lamba khelo . I just tried to do that. I am happy that I could bat this long.

“Obviously this is the greatest day of my life. I am actually still not able to express myself,” the opener said after his epic knock.