Chennai, Jan 29 (.) Contrasting half centuries by middle order batsmen Sukirt Pandey
(73 not out) and Ninad Rathva (66) helped Baroda recover from a shaky start to reach
247 for five at close on the opening day of the Elite Group A Ranji Trophy cricket match
against hosts Tamil Nadu at Salem on Thursday.
At the close, lefthander Sukirt, who struck eight fours in his painstacking 222-ball unbeaten
knock, was batting on 73 and skipper Atit Sheth was batting on 45 (104 balls, 5×4).
The duo have added crucial 90 runs for the unbroken sixth wicket in 36.3 overs, to help
the team end the day on a satisfying note.
Earlier, batting first Baroda were struggling at 55 for three and then at 72 for four in 22 overs
losing openers Jyotsnil Singh (10), ShivalikSharma (35, 34 balls, 6×4, 1×6), Shashwat Rawat
(5) and Vishnu Soilanki (9) before left hander Ninad Rathva joined southpaw Sukirt Pandey.
Both initially played cautiously before Ninad Rathva played some delectable shots on both sides
of wicket and went to reachmis half century, before he was trapped in front by Tamil Nadu skipper
and left arm spinner Sai Kishore for 66 (112balls, 9×4).
Both Sukirt Pandey and Ninad added 85 for the fifth wicket in 31.2 overs to put the innings back on
track.
However, unperturbed by the exit of Ninad, Sukirt held the innings firmly showing a lot of patience.
and reached his second first class fifth and surpassed his previous highest score of 71. With Atit
Seth too rising to the occasion, the duo ensured that there were no further hiccups as the stumps
were drawn for the day.
For Tamil Nadu off spinner J Hemachudeshan claimed three wickets, while Sai Kishore claimed two
wickets.
Brief Scores :
Baroda 247/5 in 90 overs (Shivalik Sharma 35, Sukirt Pandey 73 batting, Ninad Rathva 66, Atit Sheth
45 batting, J. Hemchudeshan 3/72, R. Sai Kishore 2/50) vs Tamil Nadu.
. GV 1745