Ranji Trophy: Allround success for Goa at home

Panaji: Goa did everything right against Manipur on the second day of the Plate Division Ranji Trophy at the Academy ground, Porvorim, on Saturday.

After taking a huge lead of 447 runs, the hosts reduced the visitors to 21-4 in the second innings when stumps were drawn.

Captain Amit Verma had a good day as he took three wickets in the last session to leave the visitors with an inning and 426-run deficit. Earlier, he scored a fluent 89 off 118 balls as Goa declared their first innings at 553-5.

Verma bowled with a plan and set fielding perfectly. He got his first scalp when Sultan Karim failed to judge a length delivery. Trying to cut, he missed the ball and got bowled. Left-arm orthodox Darshan Misal chipped in when he caught Bonny Chingangbam plumb in front for 2. Al Bashid Muhammed, Manipur's top scorer in the first innings, struck two fours and was getting set. However, his stay at the crease was cut short by Verma who foxed him with a straight one. The ball hit the pad and the umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger.

Akshaykumar Singh (0) followed suit as he played a wrong line to get out LBW off Verma.

Earlier, resuming on 225-2, Vaibhav Govekar (88) and night watchman Amulya Pandrekar got off to a great start. Vaibhav could have scored a century on debut. However, allrounder Rex Rajkumar broke through his defence to shatter the left-hander's dream.

Surprise package Amulya, who has been consistent with the bat, was unlucky to miss his half-century, but he did what was expected of him — survive the morning session. Though Rex bowled him for 47, Goa were nicely set at 364-4. Verma batted fluently as he smashed a six and ten fours. His dismissal brought Suyash Prabhudessai, who has been in an excellent form.

What followed was a leather hunt for Manipur.

Smit Patel

, who usually batted one down, flourished in the middle order. He brought up his ninth century off 117 balls, while Suyash hit a quickfire 61 off 82 balls as the pair recorded an unbeaten 154 run partnership for the sixth wicket. Manipur bowlers toiled for 130 overs. Rex was the only bowler who took two wickets.

Brief scores: Manipur 106 & 21-4 (Amit Verma 3-10) vs Goa 553-5 decl in 130.3 overs (Sumiran Amonkar 115, Smit Patel 100*, Amit 89, Vaibhav Govekar 88; Rex Rajkumar 2-78).