PANAJI
The second day moved thick and fast in the fourth-round Ranji Trophy Elite Group A tie at Panjim Gymkhana Ground, Panaji on Tuesday, with Goa in a commanding position to crush a depleted Bihar side.
At stumps on Day 2, Bihar were 63-3 following on, in 22 overs, still trailing hosts Goa by 227 runs with 7 wickets in hand. Nightwatchman Vasudev Pratap Singh was on nought with wicketkeeper batter, Bipin Saurabh yet to open his account as well.
Resuming at an overnight first innings score of 288-6, the overnight Goa batting pair of Snehal Kauthankar and Darshan Misal, added another 58 runs for the seventh wicket, before Misal on 53 (107b, 4x4, 1x6) was taken at first slip by Sakibul Gani off Right arm Offbreak, Suraj Kashyap. The pair raised 120 runs in 193 balls, to put the home team in front. Though two more wickets were to fall quickly with Ruthvik Naik (3) and Heramb Parab (0), last man, Vasuki Koushik showed resolve. By scoring an obdurate 14, Koushik in company of Kauthankar raised 39 runs for the last wicket, to take Goa to a formidable 397. Back among the runs, Kauthankar remained unbeaten on 178 from 282 deliveries helped by 17 hits to the ropes. In the Bihar attack, offie Suraj Kashyap had the best returns of 5-90.
With a daunting task ahead of them, the visitors continued with their batting woes this season. At tea, Bihar were down in the dumps at 107-7 in 25 overs, with key batter, Sakibul Gani, unable to bat due to an injury. Bihar first innings came to a close at 107-9, post resumption, 290 runs behind the hosts. In the Goa attack, Right arm Offbreak, Yash Kasvankar and Right arm Medium, Vasuki Koushik who shared the new ball took three wickets each.
With the follow on enforced, Bihar were reduced to 63-3 still trailing Goa by 227 runs. Opener Ayush Loharuka made 47, the only innings of note for the visitors thus far in the match.
SCORES
Goa, 1st innings: 397 in 119.4 overs (Snehal Kauthankar 178*, Vasudev Prasad Singh 2-37, Suraj Kashyap 5-90); Bihar, 1st innings: 107-9 in 26.1 overs (Mangal Mahrour 25, Vasuki Koushik 3-12, Yash Kasvankar 3-46; Bihar 2nd innings: 63-3 f/o in 22 overs (Ayush Loharuka 47, Lalit Yadav 2-17)
Bihar trail Goa by 227 runs with 7 wickets remaining
