PANAJI
A mammoth fourth-wicket 309-run alliance between debutant top-order batter, Abhinav Tejrana (205) and allrounder, Lalit Yadav (213) both who struck magnificent double hundreds ensured Goa were in a strong position in their opening round Ranji Trophy Elite Group B clash against Chandigarh at the Goa Cricket Association Academy in Porvorim on Thursday.
Resuming on 291-3, the overnight Goa pair of Tejrana and Lalit Yadav continued where they left off, frustrating the Chandigarh attack with application and skill on a docile wicket. Tejrana brought up his double hundred on his 301st delivery with a single as the ball rolled towards long on off Slow Left arm Orthodox, Nishunk Birla. The 24-year-old southpaw thus became the first batter for Goa to register a double hundred on First Class debut. Shortly after, against the run off play, Tejrana was pouched by the wicket-keeper, Mayank Sidhu for 205 (320b, 466m, 21x4, 4x6). Lalit Yadav who was dropped on 90 by Manan Vohra at first slip off Right arm Offbreak, Vishu Kashyap, went to lunch on 133 (254b, 154, 26) with new man and captain, Deepraj Gaonkar yet to get off the mark. At lunch, Goa set pretty at 425-4 in 116 overs.
Upon resumption, the visitors looked to find their way back into the contest, but had Lalit, in his maiden First Class season for Goa as a professional, to contend with. In the middle session, Chandigarh's Offbreak bowler, Kashyap claimed two more scalps. Deepraj Gaonkar was caught at forward short leg by Arjun Azad for 4, while Darshan Misal was taken by A K Kaushik at first slip for a patient 32. The home side added 85 runs in the middle session in 28 overs for the loss of two wickets. Meanwhile, Lalit, went past his First Class highest score of 177, going to tea on 180 (241b, 19x4, 3x6). He survived another chance when on 153, Manan Vohra at first slip was his benefactor again, off Birla.
Post tea, Goa lost another two wickets for 25 runs, as Lalit neared another double hundred for his side on the day. Vishu continued to be the lone warrior for the visitors claiming Arjun Tendulkar for 1, whose ambitious lofted shot was pouched at mid off by substitute fielder, Raman Bishnoi. Fellow spinner, Birla eventually joined in the spoils with the wicket of Mohit Redkar who holed out to A K Kaushik at long on for 8.
Goa wicket-keeper, Samar Dubhashi held his end up quite well, as Lalit joined Tejrana as a double centurion on the day. Lalit brought up his maiden double hundred in his 20th First Class Match, with a single as the ball glided towards fine leg off Birla. Not long after, Dubhashi was bowled for 14 by Birla. Lalit was the last man out for 213, taken at deep square leg by Bhagmender Lather. Lalit's marathon knock comprised 393 deliveries, spanned 587 minutes, and was studded with 22 boundaries and four hits over the ropes. Goa closed their first innings on 566 in 160.4 overs.
In reply, Chandigarh lost opener Shivam Bhambri early for 2, adjudged leg before off Left arm Medium fast, Arjun Tendulkar. Chandigarh trail the home side by 532 runs at stumps, with debutant opener, Arjun Azad on a quick-fire 21 and his captain, Manan Vohra providing company on 11.
BRIEF SCORES
>Goa, 1st innings. 566 in 160.4 overs (Lalit Yadav 213, Abhinav Tejrana 205; Vishu Kashyap 7-173. Nishunk Birla 3-137) vs Chandigarh, 1st innings. 34-1 in 8 overs (Arjun Azad 21*; Arjun Tendulkar 1- 10)
