Suyash, last pair get Goa past 250

Porvorim: Goa dug deep after a disastrous 26-6 start against formidable Chandigarh to post 251 in 80.3 overs on the opening day of the Plate Division Ranji Trophy at the Academy ground, Porvorim, on Sunday.

Suyash Prabhudessai (90) stood strong for the hosts even as wickets fell like a pack of cards after the visitors won the toss and asked Goa to bat first on a fresh pitch.

Chandigarh pacers Jagjit Singh Sandhu (5-64) and Shresth Nirmohi (3-38) caused early damage and the signs were ominous for the table-toppers.

First, it was opener Sumiran Amonkar who nicked one to the keeper Jaskaranvir Singh off Nirmohi on the last ball of the first over. Two overs later, keeper-batsman Smit Patel was trapped LBW by Jagjit and even before Goa realised what was happening, another opener Aditya Kaushik (4) was caught in the gully by Raman Bishnoi off Nirmohi.

Snehal Kauthankar failed to get off the mark. Nirmohi caught Snehal plumb in front of the wicket. Captain Amit Verma too failed early when he was caught behind off Jagjit for two.

Though Amulya Pandrekar (8) has been a consistent performer with the bat, he too perished early, getting out LBW off Jaskarandeep Singh.

Goa needed something special and Darshan Misal (54) put his hand up to get counted. The 27-year-left hander hit six fours and two sixes in his 129-ball inning before getting run-out.

Suyash and Darshan put up 133 for the seventh wicket.

Lakshay Garg showed aggressive intent and hit a four but failed to defend the next delivery. He edged to Ankit Kaushik in the first slip off Jagjit.

Suyash, who batted sensibly, started running out of partners and in a moment of nevousness, hit one in the air to the midwicket off Jagjit. Gurinder Singh took an easy low catch to send Goa's top scorer back to the pavilion.

If Suyash helped Goa recover, the last pair of Vijesh Prabhudessai (40) and Felix Alemao (25) put up a stellar show by registering a 65-run partnership. The pair not only survived around 12 overs but hit four boundaries and three sixes to frustrate the visitors. The pair helped Goa get past 250-run mark. Chandigarh captain Manan Vohra took the new ball the moment it was due after 80 overs. Jagjit pitched a perfect yorker to Felix to mark the end of Goa innings.

Chandigarh had to face two overs before the stumps were drawn. Openers Arslan Khan (0*) and Shivam Bhambri (3*) saw off Darshan and Felix.

Brief scores: Goa 251 in 80.3 overs (Suyash Prabhudessai 90, Darshan Misal 54; Jagjit Singh Sandhu 5-64, Shresth Nirmohi 3-38) vs Chandigarh 3-0 in 2 overs.