Railways take first innings lead

Weathering a spirited Baroda bowling attack led by young Zaheer Khan, Railways put themselves in a position of strength after gaining a vital first innings lead of 75 runs on the second day of the Ranji Trophy final in Baroda on Friday.

Having dismissed Baroda for a modest 243 on Thursday, Railways, 91 for one overnight, managed to score 227 runs on day 2 to reach 318 for eight.

If Railways held the upper hand in the morning, it was hosts Baroda who were on top in the afternoon, with pacemen Zaheer Khan and Rakesh Patel bowling their hearts out to pick four of the six wickets to fall and slow down Railways.

For their efforts, Zaheer Khan, who picked the important wickets of Sanjay Bangar and skipper Abhay Sharma, was rewarded with three for 64 and Patel, two for 49, before suffering a breakdown and retiring to the pavilion.

With Zaheer Khan away on national duty, Patel had carried the burden of the Baroda attack through the season and his departure was a big blow for the hosts. Railways fully capitalised on it to put on 78 runs in the final session, losing just one wicket.

The depth in Railways' batting once again came to the fore as most of the batsmen chipped in with valuable knocks. At 246 for eight, when it looked like Baroda would polish off the Railway tail quickly, Murali Kartik and Kulmani Parida showcased their talents as they put on 72 runs in their unbroken stand for the ninth wicket.

Earlier, Railways, who resumed their innings at the overnight score of 91 for one batted cautiously adding just 65 runs in the first session.

Half centuries by Tejinderpal Singh (67), Sanjay Bangar (62) and Yere Goud (65) helped Railways to a good score.

Tejinderpal Singh, who went after the bowling on Thursday, was the first to go on Friday after adding seven runs to his last evening's score of 60. He was adjudged leg before after playing well forward to an Ajit Bhoite delivery. He stayed at the wicket for 127 minutes hitting six fours and two sixes, adding 91 runs for the second wicket with Bangar.

Soon after lunch, Zaheer Khan, Rakesh Patel and Valmik Buch bowled their team right back into the match by picking up five wickets between them, conceding just 84 runs.

Bangar was the first to go after making a patient 62 runs in 289 minutes with the help of six fours and two sixes before falling to Khan.

Goud was out to the last ball before tea. He was out after making a polished 65 in 210 minutes with nine fours.

Baroda's tardy display in the field in the final session will prove costly in the final analysis as they let Railways off the hook.

Khan was the pick of the Baroda bowlers while his new ball partner Rakesh Patel and left arm spinner Valmikh Buch (2/70) gave him good support from the other end.

If the Railways' tailenders can put on another 50 or 60 runs then it will be an uphill task for the Baroda batsmen in their second innings.

Scoreboard

Baroda (1st innings): 243

Railways (1st innings):
A Pagnis b R Patel 7
S Bangar c Jadhav b Khan 62
T P Singh lbw Bhoite 67
Y Goud c Martin b Buch 65
A Sharma b lbw Khan 8
S Khankar c Bhoite b Patel 4
S Sahu lbw Buch 0
S Wankhede lbw Khan 14
M Kartik batting 46
K Parida batting 24
Extras (LB11, NB10) 21
Total (for 8 wkts off 113 overs) 318
Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-108, 3-196, 4-206, 5-216, 6-221, 7-240, 8-246.
Bowling: Zaheer Khan 29-10-64-3, R Patel 25.2-9-49-2, I Pathan Jr 12.4-1-73-0, V Buch 30-11-70-2, A Bhoite 14-1-44-1, T Arothe 2-0-7-0.

Mail Cricket Editor