The first day of the 2023/24 season saw Gujarat batter Saurav Chauhan breaking the fastest fifty in the tournament history. He achieved this feat against Arunachal Pradesh at JSCA Oval Ground, Ranchi on 16th October 2023. Chasing down 127 runs to win, Chauhan looked in sublime touch putting pressure on the Arunachal Pradesh bowlers. He walked into bat with both Gujarat openers being dismissed cheaply.
The 23-year-old Gujarat batter dominated Arunachal Pradesh bowlers and smashed them all over the park. He took the attack to Aryan Sahani and Singpho. Saurav Chauhan demonstrated brilliant batting and completed his fifty off 13 deliveries. He broke the record of Meghalaya’s Abhay Negi who smashed a half-century from 14 balls. It was a superb batting display by Chauhan keeping the pressure on the Arunachal Pradesh bowlers putting on 86 runs for the 3rd wicket with Umang Kumar.
Chauhan’s brilliant innings came to an end as he was bowled by Techi Neri for 61 off 18 deliveries with 5 fours and 6 sixes. Gujarat chased down the target easily in just 7.4 overs. It was an amazing batting performance by Saurav Chahuan displaying attacking cricket right from the word go.
🚨Fastest Half Century by Gujarat's Saurav Chauhan of just 13 balls in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy🚨
The previous fastest was of 14 balls by Abhay Negi of Meghalaya vs Mizoram in 2019.#SyedMushtaqAliTrophy #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/DfeSd1idua
— Indian Domestic Cricket Forum – IDCF (@IDCForum) October 16, 2023
With this win, Gujarat moved to the top of points in Group C. Railways, Saurashtra, and Goa registered victories over than their opponents but Gujarat’s net run rate jumped to 10.787. It was a dominating display by Gujarat Gaurav Chauhan hitting big shots right from the word go.
Arunachal Pradesh captain Neelam Obi won the toss and decided to bat first. Skipper Obi was the top scorer with 29 off 22 deliveries while other Arunachal Pradesh got starts but were not able to convert into big scores. Ravi Bishnoi was the pick of bowlers for Gujarat with figures of 2 for 15 in 4 overs. Chintan Gaja and Nagwasalla also took 2 wickets each.
Saurav Chauhan has decent numbers in T20 cricket
Saurav Chauhan has decent numbers in the T20 format. He scored 274 runs from 12 matches with 3 half-centuries to his name at an impressive strike rate of 146.52.
He will be looking to continue for brilliant performances in the upcoming matches against tougher opponents like Saurashtra, Railways, Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Manipur.
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