Chandigarh take control on second day

Panaji: Opener

Shivam Bhambri

(148*) and captain Manan Vohra (102) scored impressive centuries to put Chandigarh in the driver's seat against table-toppers Goa on the second day of the Plate Division Ranji Trophy at the Academy ground, Porvorim, on Monday.

At the draw of stumps, the visitors were 310-3 in 92 overs, taking a first-innings lead of 59 runs. With seven wickets in hand, they will aim for not only an outright win but also a bonus point to surpass Goa.

Shivam hit 16 fours and a six in his 260-ball stay. The 24-year-old right-handed batsman was under pressure after his four successive failures against Bihar, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Sikkim. The opener had scored 105 against Arunachal Pradesh in the opening match of their campaign. This was second century in his debut season.

He took his time and looked solid throughout the innings. Having done all the hard work on the first day, Chandigarh didn't take any chances in the morning session. However, Goa drew first blood when Suyash Prabhudessai got rid of Arslan Khan when he was caught by Lakshay Garg in the 11th over.

Manan then took charge of the game and the duo brought up Chandigarh's 100 in 33.5 overs. Once the ball got old, it was a grind for Goa bowlers.

The only chance Manan gave was when he played one in the air on 44 off right-arm pacer Felix Alemao. A substitute player made a mess of an easy chance. Goa were made to pay for their mistake as the duo added 201 for the second wicket.

It was Darshan Misal who provided the breakthrough. Manan was caught by Snehal Kauthankar at first slip after scoring his ton.

Goa adopted a cautious approach. Realising there is nothing much for the bowlers and Chandigarh heading for a crucial first-innings lead, they set up a defensive field after Manan's departure.

Left-arm orthodox spinners Darshan (23 overs) and Amulya Pandrekar (22) did the bulk of the bowling with a steady line and length. The ploy frustrated Chandigarh. They gave away only 75 runs in the next 27 overs. Raman Bishnoi, who scored 29 off 83 balls with the help of two fours, fell to Goa's tactics and in an attempt to score quickly gave an easy catch to Lakshay at midoff off Amulya.

Goa used as many as eight bowlers to thwart Chandigarh. Captain Amit Verma took the new ball for the last two overs of the day to find another wicket, but Shivam and Ankit Kaushik (4*) later took no chances.

The third day will be make-or-break for the teams. Chandigarh will inflate the lead and aim to bowl out the hosts on the last day’s play, while Goa will have to play out of their skin to force a draw and save four points.

Brief scores: Goa 251 in 80.3 overs (Suyash Prabhudessai 90; Jagjit Singh Sandhu 5-64, Shresth Nirmohi 3-38) vs Chandigarh 310-3 in 92 overs (Shivam Bhambri 148*, Manan Vohra 102: Darshan Misal 1-59)