Vhora, Bhaja help strong comeback for Baroda

Vadodara: A brilliant spell of seam bowling by Sankalp Vohra and Firdaush Bhaja helped Baroda bundle out Gujarat for 169 before the hosts ended the second day of their Group B Ranji Trophy Elite division match with an overall lead of 43 runs.

Gujarat, in their response to Baroda`s 203 all out in the first innings, were put on the back-foot with Bhaja removing Avi Barot and skipper Neeraj Patel to leave the visitors at 29 for two. Vhora, who took four wickets for just 24 runs, claimed his first victim in the form of Bhavik Thakur, who was caught by Swapnil Singh on eight. With score reading 44 for three Gujarat looked to resurrect their innings through opener Priyank Panchal and Pratharesh Parmar. The duo stitched a partnership of 35 runs, the highest in the visitors` innings, before Abhimanyu Chauhan claimed Panchal`s wicket. Parmar, who remained unbeaten on 45, continued on his good work, but loss of wickets at the other end put the brakes on scoring. Apart from Parmar, the only notable contribution came from the bat of Panchal who scored 31. Jesa Keria (21) showed some appetite for a fightback but with Chauhan dismissing him, it was all but over for the visitors, the last four wickets just managing to add 36 runs. Earlier, resuming at their overnight 192 for seven, Baroda just managed to add another 11 runs to the total with Ishwar Chaudhary returning with a rich haul of five wickets. Baroda in their second essay were nine without loss when the stumps were drawn on the second day of the match. Brief scores: Baroda 1st inning: 203 all out (Rakesh Solanki 69; Ishwar Chaudhary 5/69) and 9 for no loss in seven overs. Gujarat 1st inning: 169 all out (Pratharesh Parmar not out 45; Sankalp Vohra 4/24, Firdaush Bhaja 3/72). PTI