Six talking points from Vijay Hazare final

From Parthiv's maiden List A century to RP Singh' fiery opening spell - here are the moments that shaped the 2015-16 Vijay Hazare final between Gujarat and Delhi, which the former won in a comprehensive fashion:

Toss

Up against a relatively inexperienced Gujarat, Delhi entered the final with the favourites tag firmly attached to their name. Despite it being a day-night affair, skipper Gautam Gambhir opted to field - a decision that will continue to baffle many. The pitch wasn't exactly an ideal batting paradise but neither did it promise to offer any sort of assistance to the pacers early on. Boasting of a batting order laden with international stars, Delhi should have extracted maximum advantage from the sun-kissed turf and put the pressure of a chase under floodlights on the opposition camp instead of their own.

Parthiv's century

The 30-year old Gujarat skipper came into the 2015-16 Vijay Hazare final with tormenting memories of a dramatic batting collapse from their last appearance in the summit clash, nearly five years ago, against Jharkhand. This time around, the captain led from the front to ensure that his side put up a tough fight, irrespective of the result. His maiden List A hundred, a 119-ball effort worth 105 valuable runs, propelled Gujarat to a commanding 273 which proved too tall a mountain to climb for Delhi.

The Parthiv-Rujul stand

En route his match-defining century knock, Parthiv Patel collaborated with Rujul Bhatt for a crucial 149-run partnership that laid the platform for Gujarat's winning total. Parthiv and Rujul, in the best third-wicket stand of the season, made the most of the pitch that had plenty for batsman who applied themselves. Once the duo was dismissed, in a space of six deliveries, the middle and lower order did collapse - adding only 80 more to the total, 44 of which came from Chirag Gandhi's bat - but the damage had already been done.

RP Singh's first spell

While everybody was keeping a keen eye on what the young Axar Patel has to contribute to Gujarat's success, it was Rudra Pratap Singh who stole the thunder in the all-important final. The Team India discard shot to limelight with a devastating opening spell to beautifully set up Delhi's inevitable downfall. RP rattled the famed Delhi line-up, accounting for all the first four wickets that fell in under 11 overs, to reduce Delhi to 31 for 4 in their chase of 274. His victims included the likes of Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan, virtually knocking the 2012-13 champions out of the game.

Gautam Gambhir's wicket

Gautam Gambhir's love for finals is well documented, for he is known to reserve the best treat for the last. Unfortunately for Delhi, it wasn't meant to be. He was the man Delhi were banking on after losing the experienced Shikhr Dhawan cheaply, but their skipper was at the receiving end of a controversial decision that put a premature end to his sojourn. Unsure of whether Rujul Bhatt caught the edge cleanly at first slip, the umpires called in for help. Despite replays suggesting otherwise, TV umpire CK Nandan signaled the batsman to walk - a decision that certainly spelled doom for Delhi.

Bumrah's five-for

If RP Singh got Gujarat the crucial early breakthroughs, it was Jasprit Bumrah who took over and ensured Gujarat don't let the advantage slip away. RP claimed four and Bumrah had a hand in all the remaining six dismissals, quite literally. He started off by cleaning up Unmukt Chand to deny Delhi any chance at staging a dramatic comeback. Next, the 22-year old bowler sent in a sharp throw at the bowler's end and the direct hit put an immediate end to Manan Sharma's stay. Despite Pawan Negi's heroics at one end, Bumrah ran through the tail to register his maiden five-for in List A games and strangulate Delhi's chase.