Until Cheteshwar Pujara and Wriddhiman Saha seized the momentum in the last innings and maintained a strangle hold on the game with an unbroken 316-run stand to win the Irani Cup, Gujarat had kept Rest of India on their toes for the better part of the game. The Parthiv Patel-led team had claimed a first innings lead with a determined and disciplined performance with the bat and ball. The fielding too had been exemplary for the Ranji Trophy champions as they strove to add another feather to their cap. However, the experienced pair of Pujara (116*) and Saha (203*) chased down 379 runs in the fourth innings with watchful batting after being left reeling on 63 for four. Speaking about the wicketkeeper-batsman’s counter-attack that took the game away from Gujarat, Parthiv said, “He took his chances really well. That was obviously the right approach because if they had tried to defend, they would have struggled. It was the right approach and it clicked well for them.” Asked if they could have done anything differently, he said, “We would have liked him to play with a defensive approach but he took his chances and we were thinking that one might pop up and we will get a wicket. But everything went his way.” While ROI lineup comprised of the likes of Pujara, Saha, Abhinav Mukund, Manoj Tiwary and Karun Nair, the Gujarat attack, though disciplined was lesser experienced. Asked about missing some key bowlers, the Gujarat captain said, “Out of compulsion (we had this attack). RP Singh had a niggle, Rush (Kalaria) had a niggle and Jassi (Jasprit Bumrah) was obviously going to be missed. We did not have any option (but) to go in with this attack. When you go in with such attack, you know that there are no expectations. It’s a good learning curve for them. As a captain, mid-game I would have ideally liked to have our main bowlers but these bowlers did a decent job. To get this kind of a batting line-up out for 220 and even in the second innings to get them 60-odd for four was creditable. Somewhere experience does help but I think our bowlers did a good job.” Asked about bowling a defensive line with the left-arm spinner, Hardik Patel, he said, “It wasn’t about stopping runs. We were trying to get wickets from that end because of the rough. It worked also, the runs were not going, he got Karun Nair, I though Manni (Manoj Tiwary), Saha and Pujara also edged a few but I think it was a tactical decision that we took.” While they lost the Irani Cup, the young team won the coveted Ranji Trophy which gave them an opportunity to test themselves against Rest of India. Summing up the season, Parthiv said, “Great season! When the season started, if someone would have said that we will be the (Ranji Trophy) champions and we will play the Irani Cup, we would have taken it with both hands. We have seen some outstanding performances. Priyank (Panchal) getting 1,300 plus runs; Samit (Gohil) got thousand runs and a record. (Getting) Wickets are something that we can work on. We didn’t have anyone who was outstandingly bowling well. That has also got to do with flat wickets we have played on. But the ultimate result is winning the Ranji Trophy and we have achieved that.” Their achievement of maiden Ranji Trophy win has been lauded by many, one of who was the only surviving member of the 1950-51 Gujarat team that reached the Ranji Trophy final, Walter D’Souza. Speaking about the interaction with the veteran cricketer, Parthiv said, “It was great (to have met him). I have spoken to him earlier as well. It was great of him to come down and meet us for some time. It was a really special moment for all of us.” Speaking about the performers that stand out for him, the Gujarat skipper said, “Performance-wise, Priyank is someone who has got a lot of runs and the way he has got them is a lot special. (Manprit) Juneja also. Besides, there are quite a few players who have done well. I am sure they will get their recognition in the coming days.” Asked about task of defending the title, Parthiv said, “That’s what we have been talking about and that’s what we have set the challenges to… make one Ranji Trophy title into two, three, four, five. For now, we still would like to enjoy the victory. It’s taken a long time for us and we will definitely sit down and decide on how to go out about it.”