PANAJI
Goa captain Darshan Misal (71) and keeper-batsman Eknath Kerkar's (73) valiant knocks failed to take the visitors past Jharkhand's first-innings score in the second round Ranji Trophy Elite Group C match at the Keenan Stadium, Jamshedpur on Thursday.
Resuming on 99-4, the overnight Goa middle-order pair of Snehal Kauthankar (on 6) and Siddhesh Lad (on 4) had their work cut out with the side's first objective to score another 138 runs to avert the follow-on. The experienced hands started off well in the opening session, playing the Jharkhand pacers with ease on both sides of the wicket with the second new ball not having any impact.
Much like the previous day, the introduction of Utkarsh Singh and his off-breaks proved decisive. In the 58th over, Kauthankar (18) was lured out of his crease by the guiles of Utkarsh and the bails were knocked off in a flash by Jharkhand keeper, Kumar Kushagra. Goa were pushed on the back foot at 130-5 with Lad on a confident 21, as his former Mumbai team-mate, and keeper-batsman, Eknath Kerkar joined him in the middle. Kerkar soon settled at the wicket and both batters applied themselves to the endeavour of going past the follow-on mark.
Unfortunately for the visitors, their man for the crisis could not live up to the expectations. Lad on 33 (66b, 5x4) succumbed leg-before to a Shahbaz Nadeem delivery with the point of impact around the leg stump. Goa were now in a difficult situation at 161-6 in the 70th over as their captain, Darshan Misal strode to the crease with another 76 runs required to avoid follow-on.
Goa went to lunch at 208-6 in 83 overs, with Kerkar on 43 (87b) and Misal on 19 (34b) ably doing the repair work. Kerkar and Misal stitched an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 47 in 81 balls and looked well-set at the wicket for a lot more. The pair looked comfortable against the new ball, playing the ball to merit, rotating the strike and punishing the odd loose delivery. Their sensible approach brought Goa back in the contest, with realistic thoughts of even securing the vital first innings lead.
However, their crucial seventh-wicket stand lasted 112 runs when Nadeem provided a significant breakthrough with Kerkar bowled by a vicious turning delivery on 73 (145b, 11x4). At 273-7 in the 107th over, Goa still had hope with a well-set captain Misal as guiding light to a lower order which had the capacity to hold their own. Goa were a touch fortunate though, when young Mohit Redkar in a rush of blood at no score, took a wild swing but survived to enjoy the tea break. Goa went to tea at 275-7 in 109 overs with captain Misal on 54 (119b, 5x4) and Redkar on 1 (13b), still trailing the home team by 111 runs.
Post tea, Redkar began to repose the faith his captain had in him mixing caution with aggression. Redkar made 39 (69b, 6x4, 1x6) when Nadeem ended the threatening stand with his fourth wicket and reduced Goa to 330-8 in the 126th over. Misal on 71 was joined by 26-year-old debutant Shubham Desai and Goa still adrift by 56 runs.
Anukul Roy, who was wicketless until this point, joined his spin partners in the spoils when he had the big wicket of Misal out plumb on 71 (164b, 6x4) as Goa slipped to 334-9 in 127 overs and hopes of a first innings lead tethered by a strand.
Lakshay Garg, who has three Ranji half-centuries to his name, came in to join Shubham who looked competent to hold the fort. Garg meted out Anukul special treatment in the 131st over, carting the slow bowler for 14 runs. Garg was lucky to survive a stumping chance on 16 next over with the Jharkhand keeper, Kushagra unable to gather the ball to deny offie Utkarsh Singh a five-for.
Garg's relief and Goa's joy was short-lived as he was the last man out for 20, a few overs later caught behind by Kushagra off pacer Sushant Mishra as the home side took a 24-run first innings lead.
