Jaipur, Raipur: Gujarat’s Samit Gohel crafted a world record in first-class cricket for the highest score by an opener remaining unbeaten as he smacked 359 not out against Odisha to help his team advance to the Ranji Trophy semi-final on the basis of the first innings lead here on Tuesday.
During his 723-ball marathon innings, the 26-year-old right-hander eclipsed English batsman Bobby Abel’s record of 357 not out for Surrey against Somerset in 1899.
Gohel’s knock, studded with 45 fours and a six, helped Gujarat post 641 all out in their second innings as they batted for the major part of the last three days after taking a 64-run lead after Odisha were bowled out for 199 in their first innings.
Odisha, already outbatted in the game, reached 81 for one when the match was declared a draw. Subhranshu Senapati remained not out on 59 from 57 deliveries, along with Ranjit Singh (18 not out).
Gujarat, resuming the day at 514-8 with Gohel on 261 and Hardik Patel not out on 11, were keen on adding more runs to the total despite having a 578-run lead at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Having added five runs to the total, Hardik was retired hurt. Gohel added a 50-run stand with Jasprit Bumrah (13) till the latter was dismissed with a LBW decision against spinner Dhiraj Singh.
With the score at 569-9, Hardik returned to bat, enabling Gohel to continue his marathon knock.
Finally, Biplab Samantray ended Odisha’s misery after removing Hardik (18), as Gohel carried his bat through remaining unbeaten on 359, with his team’s score 641 all out.
Defending champions Mumbai sealed their semi-final berth after defeating Hyderabad by 30 runs in their quarter-final tie at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium here on Tuesday.
Chasing a modest 231, Hyderabad failed before a clinical bowling display from veteran all-rounder Abhishek Nayar (5/40) and promising left-arm spinner Vijay Gohil (5/64) to be skittled out for 201 in their second innings.
Resuming the final day at 121/7 and needing another 110 runs for a win, overnight batsmen B. Anirudh and C.V. Milind added 64 runs in the morning session to narrow the target to 47.
However, Nayar came to Mumbai’s rescue yet again by striking twice in a space of three balls to leave Hyderabad reeling at 185/9.
The last-wicket pair of Anirudh and Ravi Kiran played out six overs, adding 16 runs but that wasn’t enough for the Hyderabad side to cause an upset.
Anirudh remained unbeaten on 84 from 187 deliveries which included four hits to the fence and two over it.
