Love Ablish restricts Gujarat to 208

Mohali, Dec 1 (UNI) Medium pacer Love Ablish captured his first five-wicket haul as Punjab restricted Gujarat to 208 all out in their first innings on the opening day of their Elite Group B match in Ranji Trophy Championship at the PCA Stadium here today.

In reply, Punjab had made 25 without loss with openers Ravneet Ricky and Karan Goel batting on 11 and 9 runs respectively.

Playing his fifth match in the tournament Love Ablish removed openers Nilesh Modi (11), Akash Christian (5), Niraj Patel (29), Kirat Damani (8) and Hitesh Majumdar (14) and conceded just 40 runs from 18 overs, four of which were maiden.

Earlier, Love Ablish's best bowling figures were 3 for 34 against Bengal last month in Mohali.

Struggling at 23 for 3 at one stage, Gujarat were propped up by a defiant Bhavik Thakar who contributed valuable 85 runs. His vigil at crease for 193 minutes was terminated by Ishan Malhotra (2 for 50) who had Bhavik caught by Udey Kaul at extra cover. He hit 13 fours and faced 155 deliveries. He was associated in a 39-run partnership for the ninth wicket. With Bhavik's dismissal, the Gujarat innings folded at 208 in 312 minutes.

Earlier, Punjab won the toss and elected to field. A fourth wicket partnership of 44 runs between Timil Patel (13) and Niraj Patel (29) helped Gujarat take their total to 67 from 23 for 3. This partnership was broken by Rajesh (1 for 49) who bowled Timil.

Former Indian wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, who came at number four, disappointed a handful of spectators as he could score only five runs before Malhotra had him adjudged leg before wicket. His wicket fell at team's total of 23. Hemal Watekar contributed 24 runs.

Brief scores: Gujarat (Ist innings): 208 all out in 75.5 overs (Nilesh Modi 11, Timil Patel 13, Niraj Patel 29, Bhavik Thakar 85, Hemal Watekar 24, Hitesh Majumdar 14.

Bowling: Gagandeep 1 for 20, Love Ablish 5 for 40, Ishan Malhotra 2 for 40, Rajesh 1 for 49).

Punjab (Ist innings): 25 for no loss in 12 overs ( Ravneet Ricky batting 11, Karan Goel batting 9).

SCOREBOARD Gujarat (Ist innings) Nilesh Modi c Dharmani b Love Ablish 11 Akash Christian c Gourav b Love Ablish 5 Timil Patel b Rajesh 13 Parthiv Patel lbw Ishan Mohlotra 5 Niraj Patel lbw b Love Ablish 29 Bhavik Thakar c Kaul b Ishan Malhotra 85 Kirat Damani b Love Ablish 8 Hemal Watekar c Dharmani b Gagandeep 24 Ashraj Makda run out (Karan Goel) 0 Hitesh Majumdar c Gourav b Love Ablish 14 Amit Singh not out 0 Extras (nb 10 lb 4) 14 Total (all out in 75.5 overs, 312 minutes) 208 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-18, 3-23, 4-67, 5-83, 6-105, 7-136, 8-163, 9-202, 10-208.

Bowling: Gagandeep 16-7-20-1 Love Ablish 18-4-40-5 Ishan Malhotra 15.5-4-50-2 R Sodhi 7-1-35-0 Rajesh 18-1-49-1 Karan Goel 1-0-10-0.

Punjab (Ist innings) Ravneet Ricky batting 11 Karan Goel batting 9 Extras (nb 1 lb 4) 5 Total (for no loss in 12 overs) 25 Bowling: A Makda 5-1-9-0 H Majumdar 3-0-11-0 Amit Singh 3-2-1-0 Kirat Damani 1-1-0-0

UNI