Rayudu century puts Baroda in command against Gujarat

Ambati Rayudu scored a superb century to help Baroda set a massive target of 365 runs against Gujarat on the third and penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Division Group B match on Thursday.

Vadodara: Ambati Rayudu scored a superb century to help Baroda set a massive target of 365 runs against Gajarat on the third and penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Division Group B match on Thursday.

During his 136-ball 105, studded with 18 fours and a six, Rayudu put up two valuable partnerships -- 52 runs for the fourth wicket with Rakesh Solanki (36) and 77-run sixth wicket stand with Shatrunjay Gaekwad (32) -- to put the hosts in control here at the Moti Bagh Stadium. Tomorrow Gujarat will have to play out of their skins to achieve this huge target on the last day of the match. Having scored 203 all out in their first essay, Baroda had bundled out Gujarat for 169 to take 34-run first innings lead. Earlier on the day, resuming at an overnight total of nine for no loss in their second innings, Baroda managed to play out the entire day to score 330 all out. Anupam Gupta (18) and Aditya Waghmode (30) gave hosts a good start by putting up 55 runs together for the opening wicket before both of them departed in the consecutive overs. Swapnil Singh (14) also failed to sustain and got out with the Baroda`s total reading 99 for three. However, Rayudu and Solanki managed to steady the boat, before the former coupled with Gaekwad to further consolidate the innings. Abhimanyu Chauhan (33) and Firdaush Bhaja (21 not out) also chipped in with crucial runs to take Baroda`s score past 300-run mark. As many as six Gujarat bowlers were tried but they could hardly check the tempo of the hosts. Brief scores: Baroda: 203 & 330 (Ambati Rayudu 105, Rakesh Solanki 36, Abhimanyu Chauhan 33; Jesal Karia 2/12, M S Patel 2/32). Gujarat 1st inning: 169 all out. PTI