Vasanth Kumar stars again for Saurashtra

The in form opening batsman RC Vasanth Kumar once again performed the star turn for Saurashtra on the opening day of their West Zone Ranji Trophy league match against Baroda at the Municipal stadium in Rajkot on Monday. Having hit a bright 67 in the limited overs game the day before, Vasanth Kumar, who previously played for Tamil Nadu but switched to Saurashtra this season, scored a well compiled 84 to help Saurashtra to compile 245 for three at stumps.

The home team, winning the toss, were given a fair start with Vasanth Kumar and AA Merchant (23) putting on 35 runs off 12.2 overs. Then Vasanth and skipper Sitanshu Kotak (42) consolidated with a second wicket stand of 114 runs in a shade over three hours off 44.5 overs. The left handed Kotak batted patiently. He faced 150 balls and hit four of them to the ropes. Vasanth who had dominated the partnership was finally out at 177 in the 68th over. It was a typically neat and compat innings by the young opening batsman, who batted 278 minutes. He faced 179 balls and hit 14 fours.

PJ Bhatt (66) and BM Jadeja (19) then carried on the good work by adding 68 runs off 22.4 overs in an unbeaten fourth wicket partnership. Bhatt who was the dominant partner faced 101 balls and hit eleven fours and a six.