Ranji Trophy 2023-24: Snehal-Darshan partnership helps Goa put up respectable whole on Day 1 after sluggish begin

Goa ambled alongside for six-and-a-half hours earlier than ending at 228 for eight on day one in all its Ranji Trophy Group-C encounter in opposition to Karnataka on the SDNR Wadiyar Stadium right here on Friday.

After electing to bat, the customer’s innings was propped up by No.4 batter Snehal Kauthankar’s half-century (83, 193b, 9×4, 1×6) and the 82-run partnership for the third wicket he mixed with skipper Darshan Misal (39, 98b, 4×4).

Kauthankar was reprieved whereas nonetheless on 4 and the group totalled at 21 for 2. Manish Pandey’s drop at second slip off pacer M. Venkatesh resulted in a reduce on the previous Karnataka chief’s proper palm and price 79 runs.

But for that, Kauthankar was an assured presence. Against the correct Karnataka tempo trio of V. Koushik, V. Vyshak and Venkatesh, the 28-year-old performed risk-free cricket. He drove and reduce principally alongside the bottom, and the lone streak of aggression he displayed was in opposition to captain and part-timer Mayank Agarwal, who was smashed over his head for the one six of the day.

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Early within the morning, after Goa misplaced Ishaan Gadekar and the in-form Ok.V. Siddharth cheaply, Suyash Prabhudessai put a premium on his wicket. But his first actual try to deliver some color into the proceedings led to his downfall (24, 70b, 3×4). After hitting left-arm spinner Rohit Kumar for back-to-back boundaries on the leg-side, he chopped one on attempting a 3rd.

Rohit answered Mayank’s name for a second time when he broke the Kauthankar-Misal affiliation after lunch by drawing Misal ahead and having him stumped. Kauthankar soldiered on, however Venkatesh ultimately had his quantity, with Nikin Jose neatly finishing a catch at gully whereas the bowler was busy interesting for a leg-before.

Karnataka’s solely fear going into day two will probably be Manish’s health, with the 34-year-old not returning to the sphere after dropping Kauthankar. Mayank obtained a knock on his leg late on and he didn’t come again as effectively. A line-up already lacking R. Samarth due to sickness can ill-afford extra casualties.