Saurashtra 2 down for 36 in 2nd innings

Rajkot, Dec 3 (UNI) Saurashtra were struggling at 36 for two in their second innings after they failed to avoid a follow-on on the penultimate day of the four-day super league Ranji encounter against Baroda at the Madhavrao Scindia cricket ground here today.

The hosts have been in great trouble as they were all out for 255 runs in their first innings after resuming their innings at the overnight score of 122 for two. Saurashtra who had lost two points to defending champions Uttar Pradesh after conceding the first innings lead while playing in Kanpur, are now facing adaunting task to avoid defeat against Baroda.

The hosts have to score 152 runs to avoid an innings defeat and have eight wickets intact. The visitors gained vital lead of 151 runs and would press for an outright victory.

Baroda is high on confidence after their first round win over Karnatka at Baroda and now they would like to collect the full four points against Saurashtra.

Saurashtra folded their first innings at 255 shortly after tea.

Veteran Sitanshu Kotak added eight runs to his overnight score of 53 and fell to medium pacer Irfan Pathan.

The other not able contributions for the hosts came from Cheteshwar Pujara who remained not out for 63 in which he smashed seven boundaries and faced 196 balls while on other hand the wickets fell at regular intervals. At stumps, Cheteshwar Pujara and Kamlesh Makwana were playing on four and two runs respectively in second innings.

Left arm spinner R pawar struck twice and had wickets of both openers Kanaiya Vaghela (7) and Sagar Jogiyani (18) by his incisive bowling in the second innings. His bowling figure read as 4-2-5-2.

Brief Score: Baroda Ist innings 406 all out Saurashtra Ist innings: 255 all out (S Jogiyani 58, S Kotak 61, Cheteshwar Pujara not out 63 R Pawar 4 for 42, I Pathan two for 53) Saurashtra 2nd Innings 36 for two ( S Jogiyani 18, R Pawar two for five).

UNI AV WD PDS DB1952