Visitors bowled out for 209 by Maharashtra
Jalaj Saxena's 6/79 derailed Goa's innings on Day 1 in Pune.
SCORES
Goa 1st inns 209 in 82.1 overs (Snehal Kauthankar 73, Jalaj Saxena 6/79, RS Ghosh 2/34, Vicky Ostwal 2/47); Maharashtra 1st inns 19/0 in 5 overs (Prithvi Shaw 13*); Maharashtra trail by 190 runs
PANAJI
With the second phase of Ranji Trophy having started across the country, teams across the Groups are either in the race for knockout qualification, in with some chance of moving to the next stage or looking to avoid relegation.
On Thursday, the penultimate round Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match between hosts Maharashtra and Goa began at the MCA Cricket Stadium in Gahunje, Pune.
The chances of the two sides reaching the next stage were contrasting as indicated by their performances on the given day. Maharashtra with 18 points after 5 matches are adrift the Elite Group B table toppers, Karnataka, by three points and two points in front of Madhya Pradesh. Meanwhile, Goa were placed fifth at 11 points after five matches and need outright wins and things going their way with other results to entertain any thoughts of entering knockouts.
On the opening day of the fixture, the wily journeyman Jalaj Saxena spun a web around the Goa batters with his off-breaks to celebrate an incredible 500 First Class wickets milestone with a 6-fer for Maharashtra,
Goa were to rue their decision to bat first, as the 39-year-old veteran Saxena playing in his 156th First Class match had the visitors in early trouble at 59/3 in the 20th over. Suyash Prabhudessai (12), Manthan Khutkar (14) and Abhinav Tejrana (10) were Saxena’s early victims.
Goa captain Snehal Kauthankar was joined by all-rounder Lalit Yadav with the task to stem the rot. Kauthankar on 32 (69b, 4x4) and Lalit on 33 (59b, 1x4, 2x6) primed themselves to stabilise Goa’s innings with an unbroken 57-run stand that took the side to lunch at 116/3.
But their alliance was short-lived as only the second delivery post resumption, Right arm Medium fast R S Ghosh claimed Lalit (33). Next man, Darshan Misal did not last long either, contributing just 6 as Saxena picked up his fourth wicket. Deepraj Gaonkar, Arjun Tendulkar and wicketkeeper Rajsekhar Harikant all fell cheaply, as Kauthankar stood despondently at one end.
While Slow Left arm Orthodox Vicky Ostwal joined in the spoils in snaring Gaonkar and Tendulkar, Harikant helped Saxena complete his 35th 5-fer at the First Class level. Kauthankar, after a well-compiled 73 (130b, 6x4, 2x6), was cleaned up by the on-song Saxena.
Vasuki Koushik and Amulya Pandrekar provided some resistance for the last wicket with a 28-run stand. R S Ghosh cleaned up Koushik for 9 as Goa folded up for 209 in 82.1 overs. Pandrekar stayed unbeaten on a 70-ball 19.
In reply, Maharashtra reached 19 for no loss in 5 overs with openers, Prithvi Shaw on 13 and Arshin Kulkarni on 2, when stumps were drawn on Day 1 with the home side trailing by 190 runs.
