21-Dec-2008 87
GUJARAT skipper Parthiv Patel continued to shine with the bat by scoring his maiden first class double century on the penultimate day of their four-day Elite Group-A Ranji match against hosts Orissa at the East Coast Railway ground here on Saturday.
India No 2 wicket-keeper Patel`s 206 (419 balls, 4x14) helped the visitors progress from 210 for three overnight to 382 for eight at stumps and thus increase their first innings lead to 220. Capitalising on several lives, the Ahmedabad-born Patel bettered his previous career best score of 179.
Though Gujarat`s extra defensive batting _ they scored 172 runs off 90 overs _ made the day`s play a painful exercise for the spectators, it cleared whatever little doubt they had about their entry into the quarterfinals of the National championship.
