Yusuf leads Baroda to victory against Saurashtra

Rajkot: A brilliant bowling performance by Baroda skipper Yusuf Pathan (6 for 40) helped his side thrash Saurashtra by 239 runs on the fourth and final day of their Ranji Trophy Group B match here on wednesday.

Chasing a target of 355, Saurashtra were bundled out for a meagre 115 in 79.3 overs at the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) stadium, Khandheri, here. Yusuf led from the front with figures of six for 40. Baroda earned six points from today`s win and kept their hopes of entering the knockout stage alive. Saurashtra openers Chirag Pathak and Bhushan Chauhan started cautiously in their chase, adding 46 runs in 25 overs. But Pathan wreaked havoc to take the match away from the opponents. Only Chirag Pathak (36), Sheldon Jackson (19) and Kamlesh Makwana (11 not out) could reach double digit mark, while Sagar Jogiyani, Chirag Jani and Vishal Joshi failed to open their account. Pathan got a good support from Bhargav Bhatt (3/08). Earlier, resuming at 207 for six, Baroda added another 58 runs off just 8.4 overs before declaring their second innings at 161 for nine. Baroda made 400 in their first innings and then took a crucial 89-run first innings lead over Saurashtra by dismissing the hosts for 311. Overnight batsman Utkarsh Patel made 53 off 79 balls with nine fours. He added 82 runs for the seventh wicket with Pinal Shah (43). Jaydev Unadkat was the most successful bowler for Saurashtra, taking four for 61, while left arm leg spinner Dharmendra Jadeja and off spinner Vishal Joshi took two wickets each giving away 127 and 46 runs, respectively. Brief Scores: Baroda: 400 & 265 for 9 decl (Saurabh Wakaskar 69, Utkarsh Patel 53, Jaydev Unadkat 4/60, Vishal Joshi 2/46). Saurashtra: 311 & 115 (Chirag Pathak 36; Yusuf Pathan 6/40, Bhargav Bhatt 3/08).