Stats: Gujarat's Chintan Gaja scores 48 out of 50 runs in a partnership during Ranji Trophy clash

Gujarat registered their 2nd straight outright win in the Ranji Trophy 2019-20 as they completed a 90-run win against Kerala on Friday. In the game hosted by Surat’s Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, Gujarat struggled on the opening day with the bat. On a rank-turner, Jalaj Saxena claimed a 5-wicket haul in 13 overs as the home side were rolled over for just 127. They lasted only 38 overs and things could have been even worse if not for Kathan D Patel’s 36 at the top and Piyush Chawla’s quick 32 with the lower-order.

Gujarat bounced back strong by bowling out Kerala for just 70 and bagging a handy lead by end of the first day. As many as five batters bagged duck in Kerala’s first innings while Robin Uthappa (26) and opener P Rahul (17) together put on about 60% of Kerala’s tally. Gujarat’s performance with the bat slightly improved in the 2nd essay with Manpreet Juneja scoring 53. But Basil Thampi’s 5-wicket haul left Gujarat struggling at 160/9. At this stage, the No.10 batsman Chintan Gaja tied up with last man Siddharth Desai.

The duo added 50 runs for the 10th wicket out of which Gaja alone scored 48 runs while the other two runs came via extras. Desai was dismissed by Sandeep Warrier for a 13-ball duck as Gujarat were bowled out for 210. They set a target of 268 in front of Kerala who were bundled out for only 177. The much talked Sanju Samson scored an 82-ball 78 in the tricky chase. Gaja’s 96% contribution is now the 8th highest in a 50+ partnership in first-class cricket where his partner failed to contribute even one run.

The highest stand in first-class cricket where all the runs during a partnership were scored by the same player is 75 runs. During the game against Yorkshire in 1946, Walter Robins added 75 runs for the 10th wicket with Jack Young while representing MCC team. Earlier in 1901, Gilbert Jessop scored 66 out of 66 runs in his partnership with Reginald Rice for the Gloucestershire against Sussex. This partnership was for the 2nd wicket itself showing the dominance of Jessop with the bat.

Highest proportion of runs scored in a partnership in FC cricket where a partner scored 0 runs:

(Stats as on December 27, 2019)