PANAJI
Goa staged an impressive fightback on Day 2 of their Cooch Behar Trophy Elite Group D match against Bengal, currently underway at the Bengal Cricket Academy Ground in Kalyani. After bowling Bengal out for 325 resuming from their overnight score of 293 for 5. Goa ended the second day at 201 for 6 in their first innings. Goa still trail by 124 runs, with two days of play remaining.
Bengal could add only 32 runs to their overnight total as Goa tightened their grip and capitalised on the mistakes from Day 1. Chigurupati Venkata led the bowling effort with a brilliant 5-wicket haul, taking 5 for 51. Shiven Borkar claimed 2 for 56, while Yash Kasvankar (1/58), Mihir Kudalkar (1/68) and Samarth Rane (1/85) chipped in with a wicket each.
In reply, Goa’s innings began with a 51-run opening stand between Aditya Kota (18) and Sarthak Bhike (30). However, Goa faltered soon after, slipping to 86 for 4 following the dismissals of Shaantanu Nevagi (14) and Dishank Misquin (1). Captain Yash steadied the innings with a responsible 39 off 47 balls, including five boundaries. His dismissal, followed by wicketkeeper Sai Naik's departure for 16, pushed Goa into trouble at 151 for 6, raising the threat of a follow-on.
But an unbroken 50-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Aradhya Goyal (36 not out) and Chigurupati Venkata (26 not out) guided Goa past 200 and safely away from the follow-on mark. For Bengal, Rohit Das and Rohit picked up two wickets each, while Shivam Bharti and Agastya Shukla claimed one apiece.
