Sarandeep restricts Baroda to 318

Rest of India recovered to reach 179 for four at close on the second day of the Irani Trophy match after a five-wicket haul by Sarandeep Singh had restricted Ranji champions Baroda to 318 in their first innings.

Rest, who lost their four wickets for 92 runs, did well later to avoid any further damage and reached within 139 runs of the Baroda total.

Baroda, who were 265 for six overnight, could add only 53 runs in 75 minutes in the morning session with skipper Connor Williams ending his innings on 143.

Williams was the first wicket to fall after adding just 10 runs to his overnight tally. He was caught by wicketkeeper Ajay Ratra off lanky medium pacer Tinu Yohannan. New man Valmik Buch failed to last long and was adjudged leg before to off-spinner Sarandeep Singh for two.

Hard-hitting Rakesh Patel began briskly playing some bold shots in front of the wicket lofting Sarandeep over mid-on for a massive six besides hitting six fours in his knock of 44 as he helped Baroda cross the 300 mark.

Sarandeep's fine line and length was rewarded as he finished with five for 78 off 35.1 overs. His two wickets today cost him just eight runs.

Rest of India openers Akash Chopra and Vinayak Mane began cautiously and played the Baroda pace duo of Rakesh Patel and Irfan Pathan (Sr) with ease. They put on 53 runs for the opening stand. At lunch Rest of India were 38 without loss in 15 overs.

Mail Cricket Editor