Baroda-Rajasthan match evenly poised after day two

Vadodara, Jan 12 (PTI) Five-wicket haul by leg-spinnerBhargav Bhatt (5 for 103) helped Baroda restrict Rajasthan to394 before reaching 73 for one at stumps on the second day ofthe Ranji Trophy Super League final here today.

For Rajasthan, although Robin Bist (77), skipperHrishikesh Kanitkar (61), Rashmi Parida (56) and Ashok Menaria(45) contributed with the bat but none of the batsmen couldconvert the half-centuries into a big score here at the MotiBagh Stadium.

Resuming at the overnight total of 198 for three,yesterday''s unbeaten batsmen in Rohit Bist on 56 and VivekYadav on 4, mixed caution with aggression to give the visitorsa good start on the day.

The duo put on a 50-run stand for the fourth wicket withYadav being the more dominating of the two. But he became thefirst one to depart after hitting 27 off 56 balls, studdedwith four hits to the fence, falling to left-handed spinnerBhatt.

Bist, on his part could not capitalise on a chance hesurvived after being put down at a score of 62 by AKarambelkar off Bhatt''s delivery but the bowler did not let itprove costly for his team.

Bhatt was quick to add Bist''s wicket in his kitty after afew overs, dismissing him for 77 off 228 balls studded withfive fours and a six during his 316-minute stay at the crease.

However, Parida and Maneria consolidated the innings asthe duo shared a valuable 77-run partnership for the sixthwicket to give Rajasthan a much needed boost.

Even though the pair managed to keep the host bowlersquiet for sometime but Bhatt struck back to cut shortManeria''s fine quickfire innings of 45 from 59 balls,including six fours and a six.

Maneria''s dismissal triggered Rajasthan''s collapse andeven as Parida held on to his ground, wickets kept falling atthe other end.

From 346 for six, Rajasthan got bundled out for 394.

Parida was the last man to fall with Bhatt doing the damageyet again. Parida scored an excellent 121-ball 56 with ninehits to the fence.

Besides, Bhatt''s five, Swapnil Singh chipped in with twofor 54, while Sankalp Vohra (1 for 57) and Aditya Waghmode (1for 33) took one wicket each.

Replying to Rajasthan''s first innings score, Barodaopeners Connor Williams (17) and Jaikishan Kolsawala put on afine 63-run opening partnership before the former was caughtby Aakash Chopra in the second slip off Vivek Yadav''s bowling.

At the end of day two, the match was evenly poised withKolsawala (46) and Kedar Devdhar (4) at the crease.