Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s ploy of asking Baroda to bat first in their opening Ranji Trophy Elite Group D clash looked to be paying off midway through Day 1 at Vadodara’s Motibag Stadium.
Baroda were reduced to 130/5, as Suryakant Pradhan struck in the day’s second over before fellow-medium pacers Rajesh Mohanty, Debabrata Pradhan and left-arm spinner Jayanta Behera chipped in with important wickets.
The lower middle-order of Baroda then showed spunk to turn the innings around.
Left-hander Ninad Rathva (48) and Mitesh Patel (batting 94) added 80 runs for the sixth wicket before Govinda Poddar trapped the former leg-before wicket.
At 210/6, wicketkeeper-batter Mitesh found another able ally in Atit Sheth (batting 56), whose main role is that of a pacer.
The duo stitched together a partnership of 122 runs for the unconquered seventh wicket to frustrate Odisha and guide Baroda to 322/6 at stumps.
Odisha gave wicketkeeper Aashirwad Swain a Ranji debut, with coach Dinesh Mongia handing over his cap to the 18-year-old.
Brief scores: Baroda 322/6 in 88 overs (Mitesh Patel batting 94, Atit Sheth batting 56, Ninad Rathva 48; Debabrata Pradhan 1/48, Govinda Poddar 1/50, Rajesh Mohanty 1/56, Suryakant Pradhan 1/75, Jayanta Behera 1/88).
Match to continue.
