Ranji Trophy: Guts, Glory, and first-ever win for Gujarat

Even as the Gujarat government was running its successful eight global summit – Vibrant Gujarat — in Gandhinagar under the leadership of chief minister Vijay Rupani, their cricket team was simultaneously fighting to create history in Indore.

On Saturday, the Parthiv Patel-led side achieved success to win its first ever Ranji Trophy title by beating defending champions Mumbai, and proved that Gujarat is as vibrant on the cricket field.

The moment of joy came when Chirag Gandhi hit the winning runs – a boundary — off fast bowler Shardul Thakur before he spread his arms to scream in disbelief as his teammates led by man of the match Parthiv Patel sprinted their way to jump on him and celebrate their first Ranji Trophy win.

Having won Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy (2012-13, 2014-15) and Vijay Hazare Trophy (2015-16), and with Saturday's Ranji Trophy win, Gujarat has become the first team to win all of BCCI's domestic trophies.

On Saturday, the fifth and final day of the Ranji Trophy final, Gujarat boys achieved something their predecessors could only dream of. And had it not been for captain Parthiv's match-winning 143 (196b, 24x4), it would have been a difficult for them to chase down target of 312.

The Holkar Stadium here was soaked in history. A sizeable crowd supporting the Gujarat team did not let Parthiv & Co feel that they were playing at an away venue. And as the winning runs were scored, they erupted in joy as if their own team had won.

The chants of 'Parthiv, Parthiv' and 'RP, RP" went on as the winners ran a lap in the stadium to thank the crowd after the presentation ceremony.

That the chants for Parthiv was obvious as he played one of the best knocks of his career which not guided Gujarat to win, but also entertained the crowd.

It was Gujarat southpaw Parthiv's show all the way. Coming into the second innings after getting out at 90 in the first, the aggressive batsman did not want to lose this opportunity. A three figure mark and a longer stay at the wicket would ensure a win for Gujarat.

And the No.4 batsman exactly played that way and anchored a stroke-filled run fest, which ended few minutes after tea.

When just 13 required, Parthiv miscued a pull to Mumbai seamer Shardul Thakur and give a return catch to the bowler. His hope of carrying the bat through ended at 143.

It was an attractive knock from Parthiv though, but not a clean won. He rode a lot on the luck as he found as close to eight inside edges which on a bad day would have upset the woodwork. But it is said, fortune favours the brave.

Though the target was imposing, Parthiv did not shy away from playing positive cricket even when Gujarat had lost three top order batsmen going into the lunch at 146.

He displayed some gorgeous drives which had the crowd on their feet with Mumbai medium-pacer Balwinder Singh Sandhu junior being his favourite to go after.

While Parthiv was at his best, his partner Manpreet Juneja also unleashed his aggressive streak. He went after any loose deliveries the seamers bowled. The duo went on to put up a match-winning partnership of 116-runs for the fourth wicket, before Juneja fell to part-time offie Akhil Herwadkar for 54.

Later, Parthiv stitched another partnership of 94 runs with Rujul Bhatt before he got out to Shardul, but by then they were almost home.

The rest was a formality as Bhatt and Gandhi reached the target easily.

Meanwhile, Mumbai would be ruing the fact that they dropped some close and tough catches which could have turned the game their way.