Goa fight back despite being shot out for 179 by Nagaland

Arjun Tendulkar

PANAJI

Goa fought back after being bowled out by Nagaland for 179 on day 1 of the Ranji Trophy Plate group match at the Bhausaheb Bandodkar ground at Panjim Gymkhana, Campal on Saturday.

In reply, Nagaland were struggling at 74/6 in 30 overs, still trailing Goa by 105 runs.

For Goa, Arjun Tendulkar (3/8) was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets. Skipper Darshan Misal (1/27), Mohit Redkar (1/16) and debutant Rahul Mehta (1/1) bagged up a wicket each.

For Nagaland, opener Sedezhalie Rupero scored 26 while their captain Rongsen Jonathan was batting on 14.

Earlier in the day, put into bat by Nagaland, Goan batters struggled from the start on a green pitch. Except for Deepraj Gaonkar and Samar Dubhashi, it was overall a poor batting display by the Goan batsmen at Panjim Gymkhana which was hosting a Ranji Trophy match after 18 years.

The absence of Goa’s prolific run scorer Suyash Prabhudessai who was ruled out due to a knee injury was clearly felt.

Krishnamurthy Siddharth (9), Rohan Kadam (8), Snehal Kauthankar (4) and Rahul Mehta (1) did not last long against the disciplined Nagaland bowling attack.

At lunch, Goa were 93/6 in 32 overs.

But, a fighting knock of 62 off 109 balls by Deepraj Gaonkar saved the Goan team of being bowled out for less than 150. Deepraj scored a six and seven boundaries in his knock. He was equally supported by wicket-keeper Samar Dubhashi who chipped in with a valuable contribution of 44 off 83 balls that included four boundaries.

Deepraj and Samar put on a crucial 57-run stand for the eighth wicket.

Earlier, Deepraj and skipper Darshan Misal (14) put on a vital 44 runs partnership for the sixth wicket. Darshan was lucky not to be dismissed on a duck as he was clean bowled on a ‘No Ball’ by Nagaho Chishi when the score was 36/5.

Eventually, Goa were all for 179 in 58.1 overs just before tea.

For Nagaland, 21-year old right-arm medium-fast bowler Raja Ranjit Swarnkar (4/58) picked up four wickets while Nagaho Chishi (2/20) and Jagadeesha Suchith (2/38) took two wickets each. Chopise Hopongkyo (1/21) and Imliwati Lemtur (1/27) claimed a wicket each.

This is a crucial match for both Goa and Nagaland as they are unbeaten in this Ranji season in Plate group division with both the sides having won their first two games.

While Goa has defeated Manipur and Sikkim, Nagaland beat Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Both Goa and Nagaland have 13 points each from two matches. However, Nagaland (+0.925) is on top of the table due to better run rate than Goa (-0.065). The winner of this match will most likely decide the table topper.

Brief Score

Goa (First Innings) – 179 in 58.1 overs (Deepraj Gaonkar 62, Samar Dubhashi 44, Raja Ranjit Swarnkar 4/58, Nagaho Chishi, 2/20, Jagadeesha Suchith 2/38)

Nagaland (First Innings) – 74/6 in 30 overs (Sedezhalie Rupero 26, Arjun Tendulkar 3/8, Rahul Mehta 1/1, Mohit Redkar 1/16, Darshan Misal 1/27)