Ranji Trophy: Saurashtra decalre on 585/7, Goa 125/2 in reply

PANAJI
Saurashtra tightened their hold on their Elite Group B Ranji Trophy fixture against Goa, declaring their first innings on a towering 585 for 7 before reducing the visitors to 125 for 2 at stumps on the second day at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Monday.
Goa trail by 460 runs and will need a monumental effort to avoid conceding a significant first-innings lead.
Resuming from their solid 317 for 4 on Day 1, the hosts pressed home their advantage through commanding centuries from Prerak Mankad and Sammar Gajjar. Mankad, who began the day on 88, extended his dominance to compile a superb 155 off 181 balls, an innings laced with 18 fours and four sixes. His partnership with Gajjar ” worth 179 runs for the fifth wicket ” broke Goa’s early resistance and pushed Saurashtra into complete control.
Gajjar, who started the morning on 12, carved out a patient yet authoritative 116 off 168 deliveries, registering 14 boundaries. The pair took the score from 255 for 4 to 434 before left-arm spinner Darshan Misal dismissed Mankad. Hetvik Kotak then added to Goa’s woes with a composed 50 not out, while Parth Bhut chipped in with a brisk 26. Saurashtra finally declared at 585 for 7 after 150 overs.
Goa’s bowlers endured a long, demanding outing on an unresponsive surface. Misal was the standout performer with 4 for 195 from 46 overs, while pacers Vasuki Koushik and Arjun Tendulkar, and offie Mohit Redkar claimed a wicket each. However, sustained pressure was hard to come by, especially after the long middle-order stands that defined Saurashtra’s innings.
In reply, Goa were rocked early when Suyash Prabhudessai fell lbw to Jaydev Unadkat for a six-ball duck. Opener Manthan Khutkar and Abhinav Tejrana steadied the innings briefly before Khutkar was caught behind off Yuvrajsinh Dodiya for 18.
The visitors suffered another blow as captain Snehal Kauthankar was forced to retire hurt on 4 due to back spasms, leaving Goa two down for 60. From there, Tejrana played with commendable assurance to reach 75 not out off 88 balls, striking nine fours and two sixes. He found support from Lalit Yadav, unbeaten on 23, as the pair added 65 runs and ensured the visitors suffered no further setbacks before stumps.
With Goa still 460 runs adrift, the Day 3 play will be decisive. Saurashtra, seeking their first outright win of the season, will be eager to press further, while Goa ” third in the group standings ” face a test of resilience to stay competitive in the contest.