Keeper-batsman Eknath Kerkar scored an unbeaten 156 as Goa declared on 483/9.
PANAJI
Keeper-batsman Eknath Kerkar's authoritative maiden Ranji century (156*) and invaluable lower-order support ensured Goa secured an impressive 308-run first-innings lead against Services in their sixth round Ranji Trophy Elite 'C' Group fixture at the Air Force Complex ground in Palam, New Delhi on Thursday. Right-arm medium pacer Vijesh Prabhudessai's double breakthrough in hosts' second essay put the visitors in a commanding position.
Goa captain Darshan Misal (59) could only add a run to his overnight score when he was cleaned up by right-arm offbreak Pulkit Narang, who picked up his fourth wicket in the innings. Misal added a significant 112 runs for the sixth wicket with Kerkar.
At 285-6, a free-scoring Mohit Redkar joined Kerkar on 87 in the middle. Redkar struck boundaries at will as Kerkar inched his way to his first three-digit score at the level. Shrugging off an inconsistent run, Kerkar held his composure and rotated the strike well as runs flowed from Redkar's blade. Redkar was eventually dismissed for a belligerent 56 (61b, 9x4, 1x6), caught off his namesake Mohit Rathee's own bowling. It was Redkar's first Ranji half century.
The Kerkar-Redkar seventh-wicket stand added 80 runs in only 119 deliveries as the visitors took a stronghold at 365-7. Kerkar was on an assured 111 (244b, 13x4), when left-handed Arjun Tendulkar walked in to bat. Arjun was playing his part to perfection exercising restraint with attack as Kerkar continued playing second fiddle. Against the run of play, Arjun 27 (48b, 2x4, 1x6) was trapped in front by Rathee, to give the leggie his second wicket. Goa went to lunch at 410-8 in 142.2 overs with Kerkar on a solid unbeaten 124 (274b, 13x4).
Upon resumption, Lakshay Garg walked out to bat along with Kerkar with both the batters looking to score quick runs. Kerkar-Garg ninth-wicket alliance yielded 73 (78b) with both batters having an equal say in the stand. Garg used the long handle to good effect with 32 (43b, 2x4, 1x6) before he became Rathee's third victim as Goa declared their first innings at an impregnable 483/9. Kerkar stayed unconquered on 156 (309b, 17x4).
Trailing by a mammoth 308 runs, Services approached their second innings with positive intent. Runs came at a fairly quick clip as southpaw Shubham Rohilla along with right-handed Ravi Chauhan made light of the huge deficit so long as they batted fearlessly in unison. The rollicking opening stand was halted in the 27th over when right-arm medium pacer Prabhudesai had Rohilla on 52 (93b, 8x4) caught by Suyash at second slip with the score on 96. Vijesh provided the home side another jolt, cleaning up Shamsher Yadav for a solitary run.
Services were 112-2 at the start of their 31st over, trailing by 196 runs and with a mountain to ascent. Chauhan on 68* (99b, 9x4, 1x6) in the company of Rahul Singh Gahlaut on 10 saw the side to stumps at 139/2, still another 169 runs adrift.
SCORES: Services 1st inns 175 in 59.2 overs (Pulkit Narang 52, Vijesh Prabhudesai 3-39); Goa 1st inns 483/9 d in 155.2 overs (Eknath Kerkar 156*, Manthan Khutkar 82, Pulkit Narang 4-141); Services 2nd inns 139/2 in 40 overs (Ravi Chauhan 68*, Shubham Rohilla 52, Vijesh Prabhudesai 2-31)
