Focused on doing right things at right time: Parthiv Patel

A maiden century and a maiden title, Parthiv Patel’s mojo in Gujarat’s triumphant run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy showcased an emergence of talented cricketers on Monday.

Under the flood lights of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Gujarat humbled Delhi in scintillating fashion to take home their first Vijay Hazare silverware after four years.

Parthiv candidly admitted that the semi-final victory against Tamil Nadu gave them the needed confidence to face Delhi in the title showdown.

“The way we won the semifinals against probably a bigger and better side than what Delhi is. We have just focussed on how we play our cricket and focussed on doing the right things at the right point of time,” said Parthiv after scoring his first List A hundred.

A chunk of matches in the campaign saw Parthiv field two young seamers and the experienced R.P. Singh was the third option.

“We wanted to play only two seamers and RP understands it. I have spoken to him and he knows that it is time for a youngster to take over.

“He knew that if a third seamer played, then he would play. Here it has been a seamer-friendly wicket, so we had to pick him,” explained the stumper.

The century that made all the difference setting up a handsome total, Parthiv said, “Couldn’t have been a better time than this for maiden hundred. Obviously, winning the championship for the state is something special,” he quipped.

Meanwhile, R.P. Singh, sporting a salt and pepper look, was all praise of Parthiv for his overall contribution for the state side.

“He (Parthiv) has been the captain for 10 years, he has picked players, hired professionals so that the team does well. His motive was that along with his own performances, the team also progresses because when you win championships, when you play finals that’s when your boys play more,” he stated.

Apart from his four-wicket burst, Jasprit Bumrah’s five-for wrapped the rest to seal the title for Gujarat.

“He has got a superb yorker, he got even MS (Dhoni) out with a yorker. The other thing is that his action gives him a bit of an advantage, it takes people a little bit of time to pick him. He is ready to play for India,” said the former India pacer.

In few days, Gujarat will look to defend their Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 crown at Nagpur. “(We will) just carry the confidence. Forget the one-day format and try and do well now in the T20 format,” claimed Parthiv.