An unbeaten century by Neeraj Patel and his 141-run partnership for the second wicket with Azhar Bilakhia (72) enabled Gujarat take the first innings lead against Hyderabad in the Elite Group B Ranji Trophy cricket match in Hyderabad on Sunday.

Resuming at 4 for no loss in reply to Hyderabad's 205, the visitors ended the day with an impressive 225 for 2 for a 20-run lead with eight wickets still in hand.

Hero of the day Neeraj cracked an unbeaten 109, inclusive of fours, and placed Gujarat in a commanding position.

Gujarat lost opener Nilesh Modi (17) with 35 runs on the board, which brought Neeraj and Bilkhia together and the duo played with a nice blend of caution and aggression. From 76 for 1 at lunch they propelled the score to 172 at tea.

Bilkhia was more cautious and scored 72 runs off 229 balls, inclusive of four hits to the fence and one huge six, as the Hyderabad bowlers ran out of ideas.

Bilakhia was caught by Suman off a flighted delivery off Arjun Yadav to bring an end to a good partnership when the score was 176.

Bhavik Thakar joined Patel and the two negotiated the bowling with ease on either side of the wicket and took the score to 225.

Patel, on 109, and Thakar, 19, were at crease when stumps were drawn.

For the hosts, PIS Reddy claimed the wicket of Modi while Arjun Yadav accounted for Bilakhia.

Scorecard

Hyderabad (1st innings): 205

Gujarat (1st innings):
Nilesh Modi c Vinay Kumar b PIS reddy 17
Azhar Bilakhia c T Suman b A Yadav 72
Neeraj Patel batting 109
Bhavik Tahkur batting 19
Extras: (b-4, lb-1, nb-3) 8
Total: (for 2 in 92 overs) 225

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

Bowling: NP Singh 12-4-34-0, PK Reddy 18-4-56-0, P Ojha 32-8-70-0, PIS Reddy 19-4-34-1, TS Suman 2-1-3-0, AS Yadav 6-1-14-1, D B Ravi Teja [Images] 3-0-9-0.