PANAJI
26-year-old Suyash Prabhudessai's chanceless unbeaten 124, his third Ranji hundred, guided Goa to a stable position in their second round Ranji Trophy Elite Group C clash against Chandigarh at the Academy ground in Porvorim on Friday.
At close of play on the opening day, Goa were 267-3 in 90 overs with Suyash on 124 (240b, 12x4, 1x6) and Rahul Tripathi on 12.
Electing to bat, the home side forged a solid 79-run opening stand with southpaw Ishaan Gadekar 45 (80b, 6x4, 1x6), in only his second season at the level, playing an ideal foil to Suyash. Gadekar fell when he misread the line in his attempt to sweep offie Arpit Pannu and was bowled. Keeper-batsman K Siddharth provided a strong alliance for the second wicket with Suyash raising 149 runs. K Siddharth struck a fine 77 (159b, 9x4) and was caught at deep backward point by Sandeep Sharma off Right arm Medium fast, Raj Bawa.
Despite K Siddharth's dismissal, Goa were still in a strong position at 228-2. New man, Snehal Kauthankar found the going tough and perished for a laborious six caught at covers by Arslan Khan off Right arm Medium Jagjit Singh. With the third wicket fall at 250, the experienced Rahul Tripathi in company with a well-set Suyash saw their side through to stumps.
In their first round fixture against Tripura in Agartala, Goa embittered a massive 273 runs loss.
BRIEF SCORE: Goa, 1st innings. 267-3 in 90 overs (Suyash Prabhudessai 124* , K Siddharth 77) vs Chandigarh
