HYDERABAD: It was the turn of the Hyderabad bowlers to disappoint as Gujarat grabbed the vital first innings lead on the second day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Super League Group `B' match at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here on Sunday.

Contrary to expectations, the bowling attack comprising of pacers N.P. Singh and Kaushik Reddy and the frontline spinner Pragyan Ojha was not equal to the task.

In fact, so predictable was their bowling that they hardly troubled the batsmen. And, one also wondered whether it was prudent for captain Anirudh Singh to shuffle around the bowlers after brief spells in the pre-lunch session.

That was the phase when it looked as if he was in a dilemma whether to attack or defend. This despite left-arm spinner Indrasekhar Reddy providing the breakthrough by having opener Nilesh Modi caught in close-in cordon in the 17th over of the day.

From then it was Azhar Bilakhia (72, 229 balls, 4 x 4) and Neeraj Patel (109 batting, 210 balls, 11 x 4) who kept the bowlers at bay with a fine display.

The 141-run stand was dotted with some exquisite strokes on either side of the wicket, particularly by the southpaw Neeraj who was the more dominant and stylish of the pair.

The scores: Hyderabad — 1st innings: 205.

Gujarat — 1st innings: N.K. Modi c Vinay Kumar b I. Reddy 17, A.A. Bilakhia c Suman b A. Yadav 72, N.K. Patel (batting) 109, B.D. Thakkar (batting) 19; Extras: (b-4, lb-1, nb-3) 8; Total: (for two wkts. in 92 overs) 225.

Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-176.

Hyderabad bowling: N.P. Singh 12-4-34-0, K. Reddy 18-4-56-0, Ojha 32-8-70-0, I. Reddy 19-4-34-1, Suman 2-1-3-0, A. Yadav 6-1-14-1, R. Teja 3-0-9-0.

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