Ranji Trophy: Baroda take first innings lead against MP

Baroda made 296 all out in reply to Madhya Pradesh's 269 to take the vital first innings lead in Ranji Trophy.

Vadodara: Baroda made 296 all out in reply to Madhya Pradesh's 269 to take the vital first innings lead on the third and penultimate day of their Group B Ranji Trophy cricket match, here on Sunday.

Resuming at the overnight score of 188 for four, Aditya Waghmode (68) added just four runs to his yesterday's score being dismissed.

But big-hitting Yusuf Pathan, not out on 27 last evening, made a sedate 55 that came off 102 balls with the help of two boundaries and as many sixes, while Swapnil Singh made 48 hand Baroda the crucial 27 runs lead in the first innings.

For Madhya Pradesh, leg-spinner Mihir Hirwani, son of forner India spinner Narendra Hirwani, claimed five wickets giving away 60 runs while Jalaj Saxena (2/63) and Ankit Sharma (2/97) picked up two apiece.

Madhya Pradesh scored 113 for the loss of two wickets in 40 overs in their second innings at the close of play.

Madhya Pradesh lost noth their openers Jalaj Saxena (39) and Aditya Shrivastava (29) after the duo had put on 63 runs for the opening stand.

At stumps, Rajat Patidar was unbeaten on 29 and giving him company was Harpreet Singh (11).

Madhya Pradesh, thus, lead Baroda by 86 runs with eight wickets in hand.

With only a day's play remaining, the match seems to be heading towards a draw.

Brief Scores:

Madhya Pradesh: 269 & 113 for two in 40 overs (Jalaj Saxena 39, Rajat Patidar 29; Swapnil Singh 1/19).

Baroda: 296 all out in 113.2 overs (Aditya Waghmode 68, Yusuf Pathan 55; Mihir Hirwani 5/60).