Plunket Shield: Five-wicket bag from Rohit Gulati spurs Auckland Aces to big win over Central Stags

Thursday, 20 November 2025

Rohit Gulati on his first-class debut in March, for ND against Auckland.

In just his second first-class match, Rohit Gulati put his name up in lights as Auckland Aces secured the first outright win of the Plunket Shield season on Thursday.

The 27-year-old left-arm spinner tore through the Central Stags’ second innings in Palmerston North to return figures of 5-46, and skittle the hosts for a meagre 154.

It completed an innings and 61 run victory before tea on the third day.

Gulati made his first-class debut for Northern Districts against Auckland in March, snaring current team-mates Jock McKenzie and Simon Keene as his first two wickets.

Having switched to Auckland, Gulati teamed up with fellow spinner Adi Ashok to form a dynamic duo on a turning Fiztherbert Park pitch against a Stags team featuring test left-armer Ajaz Patel.

He snared the big wicket of gloveman Dane Cleaver (16) then removed Stags debutant Taylor Bettelheim for 62 after scoring his maiden first-class 50.

Auckland Aces batsman Lachie Stackpole celebrates scoring 100 runs.

Gulati removed Tyler Annand to wrap up the match, as Ashok chimed in with 2-39.

Auckland batsman Lachie Stackpole set up the victory on day one with a knock of 148 off 112 balls including nine sixes.

The 20-year-old was playing just his fifth first-class match, and had a previous highest score of 87.

Auckland scored 406 then dismissed the Stags for 191 and 154.