Panaji: Deepraj Gaonkar scored a crucial half-century, even as Goa put on a disappointing batting performance against Nagaland on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Plate Group match at Panjim Gymkhana ground here on Saturday. After being bowled out for 179 runs, the hosts fought back to reduce Nagaland to 74/6.
Put into bat, Goa lost wickets one after the other with half the side back in the pavilion at the total of 36 runs. The spectators, who were excited to see Ranji Trophy action return to the Bandodkar ground at PG after a gap of around two decades, rubbed their eyes in disbelief as none of the top-order batters showed a real intent to stay at the crease by negotiating the bowler-friendly morning conditions.
It took No 6 batter Deepraj (62) to launch a counter-attack and take Goa to a semblance of respectability. If not for a no-ball check, captain Darshan Misal would have been back for a duck but he survived and combined for valuable 44-run stand for the sixth wicket with Deepraj before being out for 14 as the duo initiated the task of rebuilding. Wicketkeeper Samar Dubhashi contributed 44 runs and was involved in the precious 8th wicket partnership of 57 runs, which was also the highest in the Goa innings.
Deepraj, a naturally positive batter, cracked seven boundaries and a sixer in his 109-ball knock. Samar hit four boundaries in his important inning that lasted 83 balls.
Nagaland bowlers exploited the conditions well with medium pacer Raja Swarnkar being the wrecker in chief with figures of 4/58. Nagaho (2/20) and Suchith J (2/38) also played their part with the ball.
The Northeastern state in their turn with the bat, suffered a similar fate as top and middle order crumbled. The Goan charge with the ball was led by Arjun Tendulkar (3/8) as he made an early breakthrough in the Nagaland top order. Darshan, Mohit Redkar and Rahul Mehta picked up a wicket each. At the draw of stumps, captain R Jonathan (14) and Suchith (1) were at the crease.
Scorecard👇
