Baroda make first Ranji final since 1957-58

With the result of the match a foregone conclusion there was little interest in the last day's play of the Ranji Trophy semifinal between Baroda and Orissa at the Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation Ground in Baroda on Monday. About the only interest was whether Baroda would win outright or enter the final on the basis of their first innings lead. Ultimately Orissa's batsmen, with an improved performance, comfortably foiling Baroda's bid to register an outright victory. Requiring an impossible 698 for victory, Orissa ended at 361 for five off 82.4 overs when stumps were finally drawn.

Baroda were all out in the second innings in the first over after resumption for 409. There was a brief while when Baroda looked capable of winning the match and this was when Orissa were 53 for two with skipper Shiv Sundar Das (19) being among the batsmen dismissed. But thereafter it was Orissa all the way. First, RR Parida (71) and Sanjay Raul (36) added 67 runs for the third wicket off 21.3 overs. This was followed by a 73-run fourth wicket stand off 19.5 overs between Parida and Pravanjan Mullick. Parida, one of the leading batsmen for the state this season, faced 162 balls and hit nine fours. Then Mullick and P Jayachandra (82) made merry as Baroda captain Jacob Martin tried out some irregular bowlers. The two figured in a 168-run association for the fifth wicket which lasted 22 overs. Jayachandra was finally out after facing just 75 balls and hitting nine fours and four sixes. At close, Mullick remained unconquered with 131 off 121 balls. He hit 15 fours and six sixes. The match was called off when Jayachandra was dismissed.

Baroda, who are entering the title round for the first time since 1957-58, will play Railways in the five day final commencing at Baroda on April 19.