Ranji Trophy: Darshan, Vijesh give Goa innings win against Services

Panaji: Goa registered their second away victory in the Ranji Trophy this season when they defeated Services by an innings and four runs in a Group C encounter at the Airforce sports complex in Palam, Delhi, on Friday.
Captain Darshan Misal took five wickets, while Vijay Prabhudessai took four to bowl out Services for 304 in 91 overs.
The win helped Goa garner 18 points from six matches with three draws and a loss, keeping them fifth on the table, while Services have seven points from six matches, suffering their fourth loss.
Resuming on their second innings score of 139-2 in reply to Goa's 483-9 in the first innings, Services needed to bat throughout the final day. Services were trailing by 308 as they were bowled out for 175 in their first innings.
Services batsmen failed to negotiate an early morning spell from right-arm medium pacer Vijesh Prabhudessai.
Rahul Singh (16) was the first to be dismissed when he was caught by Snehal Kauthankar off Vijesh when the score was 146.
Opener Ravi Chauhan (139) held one end to register a well-deserved century. However, Goa bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals.
Ravi and captain Rajat Paliwal (29) added 55 for the fourth wicket.
Darshan then got Rajat caught by Ishaan Gadekar to break their stand.
Ravi then formed a 70-run stand with keeper Lovekesh Bansal (21) to raise some hopes, but left-arm pacer Arjun Tendulkar forced an edge from Lovekesh to keeper Eknath Kerkar. Services were struggling at 233-5.
Sensing victory, Darshan bowled with purpose as he grabbed four wickets in three overs. First, he cleaned up Pukit Narang (3) and then got Mohit Rathee (0) and Poonam Poonia (0) caught by Manthan Khutkar.
Ravi was the last obstacle between Goa and victory. He was the ninth wicket to fall when he was caught by Suyash Prabhudessai.
Arpit Guleria (10) and Diwesh Pathania (20*) batted aggressively in an attempt to avoid an innings defeat, but Vijesh got Arpit caught by Suyash to help Goa earn seven points, including a bonus point for registering an innings win.
Darshan was the most successful bowler with figures of 5-70, while Vijesh took 4-57.
Goa play their last match against Chhattisgarh at Raipur starting Tuesday.
Brief scores: Services 175 & 304 in 91 overs (Ravi Chauhan 139, Shubham Rohilla 52, Rajat Paliwal 29; Darshan Misal 5-70, Vijesh 4-57) lost to Goa 483-9 decl. in 155.2 overs (Eknath Kerkar 156*, Darshan 59, Mohit Redkar 56, Arjun Tendulkar 27, Lakshay Garg 32; Pulkit Narang 4-141, Mohit Rathee 3-94).