Goa staring down the barrel

NT NETWORK

PANAJI

Goa find themselves in danger of suffering their sixth defeat in eight matches after having been reduced to 199 for 5 in their second innings at the close third day’s play of their Elite, Group C Ranji Trophy game against Rajasthan at GCA Academy ground in Porvorim, on Tuesday.

Goa still trail the visitors by 70 runs. Earlier, Rajasthan — who resumed the day from an overnight 343/3 — declared their first innings at 513/8.

Skipper Sagun Kamat and Amit Verma resurrected Goa’s second innings with a 175-run partnership after Rajasthan bowler TM Ul-Haq sent back Goa’s Sumiran Amonkar and Amogh Desai to the pavilion, with hosts tottering at 11/2.

Sagun was unfortunate to miss his well-deserved century by just four runs as he was caught by Chetan Bist off the bowling of TM Ul-Haq. Sagun faced 139 balls and hit 15 boundaries. Verma was at the crease with a patient 84 for which he consumed 136 balls and hit 10 boundaries and a six. The day’s play came to an end after Snehal Kauthankar caught by Bist off Rahul Chahar for just 1 run.

Rajasthan’s TM Ul-Haq was the pick of the bowlers taking 3 for 39 from 13 overs. India international and IPL star, Deepak Chahar bowled six overs and took 1 wicket for 25 runs. Rahul Chahar also contributed with a wicket in his 9.3 overs and conceded 46 runs.

Earlier, Robin Bist continued his good season as he completed his 15th first-class century and second score of 150 or more in a row. Bist moved from 98 overnight to 169 not out, facing 265 balls and hitting 11 fours and four sixes. Ashok Menaria contributed 76 and TN Dhillon 40 off 31 balls.

Among the Goan bowlers, who had an overall bad outing, Lakshay Garg and Amogh Desai picked 3 and 2 wickets each. Garg’s 3 wickets came after giving away 127 runs, most among the bowlers. Ashok Menaria, Rajesh Bishnoi and Rahul Chahar were Garg’s victims. Amogh Desai who looked economical among the lot, gave away 64 runs from his 16 overs. He scalped Chetan Bist and Tajinder
Singh.

Krishna Das, Amit Verma and Darshan Misal took one wicket each as they gave away 64, 98 and 78 runs respectively.