Middle-order batsman Chirag Gandhi struck a timely, maiden first class hundred and remained unbeaten on 136 to lift newly-crowned Ranji Trophy champions Gujarat from deep trouble on day one of the Irani Cup game against the Rest of India at the Brabourne Stadium on Friday. In the morning, the tall Pankaj Singh trapped opener Samit Gohil for a duck off the sixth ball and then got rid of the other in-form opener Praiyank Panchal through a catch in the slip cordon. Juneja and Gandhi prevented any further damage almost till the end of the second session before Herwadkar was given a bowl and broke the stubborn partnership. At close, Hardik Patel (9) was the other not out batsman with Gandhi. Brief scores: Gujarat 300 for 8 in 88 overs (Manpreet Juneja 47, Chirag Gandhi not out 136; Hardik Patel not out 9; Pankaj Singh 3 for 77, Siddharth Kaul 4 for 73) vs Rest of India.

Source: India Today January 20, 2017 15:02 UTC