SCOREBOX
Saurashtra 317/4 in 90 overs (Prerak Mankad 88*, Arpit Vasavada 81, Jay Gohil 68; Vasuki Koushik 1/37) vs Goa
PANAJI
Saurashtra produced a controlled batting effort to finish 317 for 4 on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group B clash against Goa at the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot on Sunday.
After choosing to bat, the hosts lost wickets at regular intervals but built strong partnerships through the middle order. The innings began with Chirag Jani falling first ” lbw to Vasuki Koushik for 18 with the score on 46. Soon after, wicketkeeper-opener Harvik Desai was bowled by Arjun Tendulkar for 45, leaving Saurashtra at 83 for 2.
Jay Gohil looked in fine touch during his 68 off 97 balls before he was stumped by Rajashekhar Harikant off Darshan Misal, ending a 75-run stand and reducing Saurashtra to 158 for 3. The most substantial blow for Goa came when Arpit Vasavada ” who ground out a patient 81 from 195 deliveries ” was caught by captain Snehal Kauthankar off spinner Mohit Redkar, breaking a crucial 97-run partnership at 255 for 4.
From there, Prerak Mankad (88* off 120) took charge, playing with fluency and confidence, striking 10 fours and two sixes. At close, he had Sammar Gajjar (12*) for company, as the pair guided Saurashtra safely to stumps without further damage.
Goa’s bowlers worked hard across the day, with Koushik delivering an exceptionally tight spell (1/37 off 21 overs). Tendulkar, Misal and Redkar claimed a wicket apiece but struggled to maintain sustained pressure on a flat Rajkot surface.
Overall, with sixth-placed Saurashtra on 6 points and pushing hard for their first outright win, and Goa ” third in the table on 11 points ” hoping to strengthen their top-three standing, the next two days will be crucial in determining how this match reshapes the Group B table.
