PANAJI
Riding on an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 108 runs in 170 deliveries between keeper-batsman, Eknath Kerkar (85*) and captain, Darshan Misal (58*), Goa took firm control of their sixth round Ranji Trophy Elite 'C' Group fixture against Services at the Air Force Complex ground in Palam, New Delhi on Wednesday.
Resuming at 36-1, Goa batsmen Manthan Khutkar and Suyash Prabhudesai paid due respect to the initial pace-friendly conditions to a position where the visitors could later build from. One-down batter Suyash was trapped in front by right-arm medium Arpit Guleria on 29 (87b, 3x4) after adding 12 runs to his overnight score.
Goa were 58-2 in 29 overs, as Snehal Kauthankar walked out to bat. Kauthankar laboured to a 35-ball 6 when he was snapped at short leg by Ravi Chauhan as he tried to fend at the delivery from off-spinner Pulkit Narang. Siddhesh Lad, who tried to get off a run-rut with two boundaries early on, could muster only as many runs. Lad tried to play for the turn but the ball went straight and Narang had the seasoned campaigner leg-before.
The double breakthrough by Narang had the visitors in a spot of bother at 85-4 in the 44th over. Batting assuredly at one end was 23-year-old southpaw Manthan Khutkar in only his second Ranji game on 34 (118b) and a partnership was the need of the hour. Keeper-batsman Kerkar looked in good touch as together with Khutkar, he bailed out Goa from the delicate situation. The Kerkar-Khutkar fifth-wicket alliance produced 88 runs to bring a semblance of comfort to Goa.
Khutkar looked good for his maiden Ranji century but pushed at a ball to be taken at first slip by Services captain Rajat Paliwal after a resolute 82 (231b, 8x4). Goa were 173-5 in the 80th over, two runs shy of the home side's first innings score.
Khutkar's dismissal brought in-form Goa captain Misal to the crease. The Goa allrounder proved an able ally to a well-set Kerkar and they took Goa to stumps well-placed at 281-5 with a healthy 106-run lead. Kerkar was on a solid 85 (180b, 11x4) while Misal, playing with intent, was on 58 (93b, 8x4, 1x6) in a stable, unseparated 108-run association when stumps were called.
SCORES: Services 1st inns 175 in 59.2 overs (Pulkit Narang 52, Vijesh Prabhudesai 3-39); Goa 1st inns 281-5 in 108 overs (Eknath Kerkar 85*, Manthan Khutkar 82, Pulkit Narang 3-77)
