Redkar's late order pyrotechnics saves Goa from two-day blushes

PANAJI

When the day began, the match had already progressed at a frenetic pace. 14 wickets fell on the opening day and the visitors, Punjab were 95-4 in their first essay trailing Goa by 9 runs in their fourth round Ranji Trophy Elite Group C clash at the Goa Cricket Association Academy in Porvorim on Saturday.

If the first day's play was any indication, another bowler's day was to be in the offing on a sporting wicket. It was a task resting upon the Goa attack to bowl with discipline and control to restrict the opposition as low a lead as possible and bring them back into the contest.

Goa started in earnest and the reward came shortly when the visiting captain, Mandeep Singh on 21 was caught behind by K V Siddarth off pacer, Deepraj Gaonkar as Punjab slipped to 103-5. But 25-year-old top-order batter, Anmolpreet Singh shouldered the responsibility on his young shoulders with his exemplary class and composure. He was the fulcrum in Punjab's first innings in trying conditions, and around whom small but significant stands were built. Anmolpreet Singh top-scored in the innings with a fine 60 (162). He raised 54 runs for the third wicket with keeper-batsman, Prabhsimran Singh (31) on the first day, 39 runs for the fifth wicket with his skipper, Mandeep Singh (21) and 43 runs for the sixth wicket with rookie, Abhinav Sharma (35) on the fast-moving second day. By the time Punjab were all out for 190 just before lunch, they had secured a healthy 86-runs lead on a very challenging surface.

In reply, the Goa were pushed on the backfoot very early in their second dig. In form opener, Suyash Prabhudessai was first to depart for a 19-ball 4, when he edged at a rising delivery off lanky speedster, Baltej Singh to the keeper. New man, K V Siddarth was lucky to survive a confident leg before shout off veteran pacer, Siddarth Kaul on no score as it came off a no ball. But Goa was soon to lose their other opener, Ishaan Gadekar (3) who continued his poor form as Right arm Medium Baltej Singh who bowled with a big heart and generated movement off the deck claimed his wicket. Rocked at 11-2. Goa's woes continued to tea and were tottering at 72-6 in 26 overs with captain Darshan Misal on 4 and his deputy, Deepraj Gaonkar on 9. The Slow Left arm Orthodox bowler, Prerit Dutta in only his third First Class game led the disintegration of Goa's middle-order with three wickets; including that of a strangely promoted lower-order bat, Heramb Parab.

If it were not for Deepraj Gaonkar's 46 (56b) and the late order cameo by Mohit Redkar who struck five maximums and two boundaries in a 32-ball 44, the match had very low probability of entering the third day. Redkar eventually holed out to Vishwa Pratap Singh at deep midwicket as Dutta was rewarded with his first 5-fer at the level and Goa were bowled out for a modest 179 inside 47 overs.

After the changeover, with a target of 94 and at least 6 overs to negotiate to stumps, Punjab held the upper hand - a tricky surface notwithstanding. But Goa's spin twins had other ideas. Goa captain and Slow Left arm Orthodox, Darshan Misal lured opener Naman Dhir (5) to a false shot and was pouched by Rahul Tripathi at cover. Nightwatchman Mayank Markande joined Vishwa Pratap Singh at the wicket, but went to stumps as the lone batsman standing with an unbeaten 7 against his name. Vishwa Pratap Singh, much like his opening partner, had to embitter twin failures in the match as he fell for 3 against the run of play trapped in front by offie Mohit Redkar, who rounded off a good all-round day.

BRIEF SCORE: Goa, 1st innings. 104 in 41.2overs (Arjun Tendulkar 23; Mayank Markande 4-12) & 2nd innings. 179 in 46.3 overs (Deepraj Gaonkar 46, Mohit Redkar 44; Prerit Dutta 5-48)vs Punjab, 1st innings. 190 in 65 overs (Anmolpreet Singh 60; Deepraj Gaonkar 3-30) & 2nd innings. 15/2 in 5.5 overs