Goa take late wickets to quell Railways resurgence and share honours

Deepraj Gaonkar

PANAJI

An attacking captain's knock by Upendra Yadav (91, 117b, 11x4, 1x6) and a patient innings by greenhorn opener Suraj Ahuja (81 (167b, 12x4) ensured Railways manage a respectable 293-9 in 90 overs despite visitors Goa late strikes in a sixth round Ranji Trophy Elite Group C clash at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat on Friday.

Put in to bat, Railways could have lost rookie Suraj Ahuja for 2, in the third over but the Goa pacer Lakshay Garg was unable to hold on to the catch on his follow through. The wicket had much to offer in the first hour to the bowlers, but the pace spearhead Garg was largely off his radar and not making the batters play. His opening partner, the lanky speedster, Heramb Parab was at best effective at keeping things tight from his end. With the introduction of the third pacer, Felix Alemao in the attack, it was not long before Goa drew first blood. The southpaw, Vivek Singh on 15 misread a good length delivery and was trapped leg before as Railways lost their first wicket with 30 on the board.

One-down, Pratham Singh who had moments earlier survived a run out opportunity at the non striker's end, had to return to the pavilion shortly after for a 40-ball 5 taken at first slip by Darshan Misal off Right arm Offbreak Mohit Redkar. Railways went to lunch without further loss at 91-2 in 33 overs with Suraj Ahuja on 52 and Mohammad Saif on 9.

If the first session was evenly shared, Goa came strong in the middle session to snare four wickets while conceding 107 runs from the 29 overs. Few overs after lunch, Railways best batter, Mohammad Saif was undone by the guile of Goa captain and Slow Left arm Orthodox Darshan Misal for 16, taken by Manthan Khutkar at short leg. With the match in the balance and Railways at 98-3 on a sporting deck, it required the deceptive military medium pace of Deepraj Gaonkar to put the visitors in front. In a probing spell and off successive deliveries, he removed a well-set Ahuja on 81, taken at first slip by Snehal Kauthankar and Sahab Singh for a first-baller at fourth slip by Suyash Prabhudessai as Railways faltered to 134-5 in the 50th over.

The experience, calmness and pedigree of captain, Upendra Yadav at 5, was at hand to guide Railways from being derailed any further. While Upendra blended caution with aggression, he realised significant partnerships for the seventh wicket with Yuvraj and the eighth wicket with Akash Pandey which yielded 59 and 67 runs respectively.

Earlier, Ashutosh Sharma who looked to play with intent from the outset could only make a quick 17 before holing out to Heramb Parab at the long on boundary off Misal, after striking the same bowler for a boundary earlier in the over. Yuvraj, who had played a good hand at a salvage operation with his skipper, made 22 before being involved in a mix up that led to his fall.

Against the run of play, Akash Pandey top edged to mid on where Lakshay Garg took a comfortable catch off pacer Parab. Shortly after, Upendra Yadav in the quest to get to three figures before close of play perished. The Railways captain looking to drive was smartly taken at covers by Khutkar off Deepraj for a fine 91.

At stumps, Adarsh Singh and Himanshu Sangwan were both unbeaten at nought.

BRIEF SCORE

Railways, 1st innings. 293-9 in 90 overs (Upendra Yadav 91, Suraj Ahuja 81; Deepraj Gaonkar 3-26) vs Goa