Baroda closing in on innings victory

Baroda were on the brink of a crushing innings victory over Saurashtra in a West Zone Ranji Trophy game at the Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation Ground in Baroda. After bowling out Saurashtra for 197 in their first knock, Baroda had them struggling on 92/5, the second time round.

Carrying off at 64/3, Saurashtra's overnight pair of Rakesh Dhruv and Prakash Bhatt were separated at 115 after a 79 run stand. Dhruv was the first to go and when Bhatt followed him back to the pavilion, after top scoring with 63 (130 balls, 9 fours), the innings fell apart. Saurashtra closed at 197, the last six wickets tumbling for 46. Sixteen year old left arm seamer, Irfan Pathan grabbed 5/55 while left arm spinner Valmik Buch finished with a haul of 3/26.

Following-on, 284 runs behind, Saurashtra lost both openers with just four runs on the board. Skipper Sitanshu Kotak led a rally with a fine 51 (72 balls, 7 fours) which ended when he was bowled by Buch. The chief destroyer this time was medium pacer Rakesh Patel, a product of the National Cricket Academy, who finished with 3/22. When stumps were drawn, Saurashtra needed a further 192 to make their opponents bat again.