While the Indian senior wicketkeeper-batsman Parthiv Patel has returned to India after completing his international duty, he is returning as the captain of Gujarat cricket team for the Quarter-finals of 2018/19 Ranji Trophy.

Gujarat has qualified for the Quarter-finals after finishing at the fourth position of Elite Group A. While the Quarter-finals will begin on 15 January, Gujarat will face Kerala at Krishnagiri Stadium (Wayanad).

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Since the early November, Parthiv was busy with the Indian cricket team. At first, he featured in the New Zealand tour for India A where he played one unofficial Test match against New Zealand A. After then, he toured with the national squad in Australia where India played the four-match Test series. India created history after winning their first ever Test series in Australia as they won that series by 2-1. Though Parthiv didn’t play a game in that series, he was in the Test squad.

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As Parthiv is returning to Gujarat side for the upcoming Quarter-final game, he has been selected as the captain of the team for this game. Earlier, Priyank Panchal led the Gujarat side in the entire group stages of 2018/19 Ranji Trophy, where Parthiv played only the opening game for his team just as a wicketkeeper.

Talking about Parthiv’s returning to the side, Gujarat coach Hitesh Majmudar told Sportstar, “Parthiv was not available earlier due to his international commitments but now that he is back, he will play the quarterfinals. His presence is a big boost for the team.”

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The left-arm spinner Axar Patel and the leg-spinner Piyush Chawla are also available for the Quarter-finals stage. Gujarat coach feels confident with the squad as feels that the team has a good mixture of young and experienced players.

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Majumder added, “We will be playing the knockouts for the third time in a row and all the players know how to deliver in a five-day game. That’s a great thing. We have got two-three youngsters who are doing well, so that’s a positive.

“We have a perfect mix of young and experienced bowlers. All of them performed well and when we needed seven points, they helped us achieve it. So the confidence is really high.”