Goa are staring at defeat if they do not show more application on the fourth and final day against Baroda in their Ranji Trophy ‘Elite Group A’ encounter at the Panaji Gymkhana ground after being bowled out for 199 in their first innings on Tuesday.
Responding to Baroda’s 472/8 declared, Goa managed 199 in 71.1 overs, conceding a massive first-innings lead of 273 runs. Baroda enforced the follow-on, and Goa ended the third day at 35 for one in their second innings after 13 overs. Goa still trail by 238 runs with nine wickets in hand, heading into Wednesday.
Resuming at 5 for one on Tuesday morning, Goa failed to build substantial partnerships at the top of the order. They were reduced to 66 for four before Snehal Kauthankar and Lalit Yadav battled to offer a semblance of resistance with an 81-run partnership. Kauthankar scored 50, while Yadav contributed 54, but their efforts were not enough to prevent Goa from being bowled out.
Off-spinner Mahesh Pithiya was Baroda’s leading bowler, claiming five wickets for 58 runs, while Bhargav Bhatt took four for 51. Rasikh Dar picked up one wicket.
Goa lost Suyash Prabhudessai early in their second innings. At stumps, Shivendra Bhujbal was unbeaten on 13 and captain Abhinav Tejrana on 14, leaving Goa with a challenging task on the final day.
Scorecard
Baroda, 1st innings: 472/8 declared
Goa, 1st innings (overnight 5/1): Shivendra Bhujbal b Rasikh Dar 12, Darshan Misal b Mahesh Pithiya 16, Abhinav Tejrana c D.N. Patel b Bhargav Bhatt 13, Snehal Kauthankar st M.G. Patel b Bhargav Bhatt 50, Lalit Yadav lbw b Mahesh Pithiya 54, Deepraj Gaonkar b Mahesh Pithiya 18, Mohit Redkar c P.S. Moliya b Mahesh Pithiya 4, Ruthvik Naik lbw b Bhargav Bhatt 12, Vasuki Koushik not out 4, Shubham Tari c and b Bhargav Bhatt 0, Extras 16. Total: 199 all out in 71.1 overs.
Bowling (Baroda): Mahesh Pithiya 28-4-58-5, Bhargav Bhatt 19.1-3-51-4, Rasikh Dar 10-2-28-1, Atit Sheth 9-2-32-0, Raj Limbani 5-1-16-0.
Goa, 2nd innings: Suyash Prabhudessai b Mahesh Pithiya 2, Shivendra Bhujbal not out 13, Abhinav Tejrana not out 14, Extras 6. Total: 35/1 in 13 overs.
Bowling (Baroda): Mahesh Pithiya 3.4-1-10-1, Rasikh Dar 2-0-2-0, Bhargav Bhatt 4-0-11-0, Priyanshu Moliya 2.2-0-5-0, Deepak Hooda 1-0-1-0.
