Rajasthan suffer batting collapse

Rajkot, Nov 30 (UNI) Rajasthan were struggling at 106 for five in their first innings, replying to the Saurashtra total of 344 all out on the second day of the four-day Super League match at the Madhavrao Scindia Ground here today.

Sandeep Jobanputra struck in the third over and removed Gagan Khoda for naught as he was caught by wicket keeper Sagar Jogiyani.

Vineet Saxena, who opened his innings with Khoda, did not last long and was sent back by medium pacer B Jadeja in a similar fashion as former was out. Captain Venu Gopal Rao and Robin Bisht tried to repair the damage and put on 38 runs for the third wicket before he was later caught at cover by Ravindra Jadeja off Kamlesh Makwana after making 24 runs with the help of four boundaries.

Captain Venu Gopal Rao, who was well set, was bowled by left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhruve. He made 32 runs. Vaibhav Deshpande was sent back immediately before he could open his account by Kamlesh Makwana as he was caught by Sandeep Jobanputra.

At stumps, Rajesh Bishnoi and wicket keeper Nikhil Doru were batting with 20 and 7 runs respectively. Visitors still required 89 runs to avoid the follow-on.

The hosts started their innings at the overnight score of 270 for five, were all out for 344, shortly after lunch break.

Century maker Bhushan Chauhan, who was batting on 111 overnight, could only manage to add another three runs to his kitty before Pankaj Singh struck. He was caught by Venu Gopal Rao.

Sagar Jogiyani, who was giving company to Bhushan Chauhan, missed his half century by one run and was caught by V Saxehna off V Yadav.

Finally, the hosts innings folded up at 344 runs. Medium pacer Pankaj Singh and spinner Gajendrasingh shared nine wickets while one wicket went to V Yadav. Pankaj Singh took five wicket for 59 and Gajendra singh accounted four wickets for 119 runs.

BRIEF SCORE : Saurashtra Ist Innings 344 for all out in125.4 overs (B Chauhan 114, S Jogiyani 49, S Jobanputra 17 Pankaj Singh five for 59 and Gajendra singh four for 119).

Rajasthan Ist Innings: 106 for five in 52 overs (Venu Gopal Rao 32, Robin Bisht 24, Rajesh Bishnoi not out 20 S Jobanputra one for 19, B Jadeja one for 16, K Makwana two for 28 and R Dhruve one for 12).

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