the goan I network
PANAJI
Hosts Goa made a bright start in their Ranji Trophy Group D opener against Chhattisgarh on Friday. Goa kept chipping away at the wickets and reduced the visitors to 189 for 5 at stumps on Day 1 at GCA Academy ground, Porvorim with Mohammad Kaif's unbeaten 49 being the highlight of the day.
Chhattisgarh lost their first wicket in the first over after choosing to bat first, but stabilised through a 72-run second-wicket partnership between Rishabh Tiwari and Abhimanyu Chauhan. However, the side then went on to lose four wickets for 51 runs, and were floundering at 123 for 5 before Kaif and wicketkeeper Manoj Singh took them closer to 200.
The pair added 66 runs for the sixth wicket in a little over 28 overs before bad light forced an early end to the day. Goa left-arm spinner Darshan Misal took two wickets, and also ran out Chauhan for 37.
Brief scores: Chhattisgarh 189 for 5 (Kaif 49*, Tiwari 45, Misal 2-15) v Goa
