Opener Connor Williams (185) and Rakesh Solanki (111) helped Baroda gain three vital points as their Ranji Trophy match in the Super League Group B match against Punjab ended in a draw at the Gandhi Grounds in Amritsar on Wednesday.
Overnight 251 for one in their first innings, Baroda finished the day at 583 for five to collect three points as a result of the first innings lead. Punjab had scored 496 for eight declared in their first innings.
Baroda now have 17 points and are at the top of the league table in their group. Punjab, having gained one point in the drawn tie, have only 7 points.
It was the 184-run third wicket stand between Williams and Solanki which helped the visitors get the upper hand of Punjab.
Baroda lost A Bilakhia (47) in the very first over of the day and without any addition to the overnight score of 251 for one wicket. He fell leg before to medium pacer VRV Singh.
This brought Solanki on the crease and he alongwith Williams had no problems in negotiating the Punjab bowlers.
Williams overnight 106, fell to Charanjit after lunch after he had scored 185 runs studded with 29 hits to the fence. He batted for 516 minutes and faced 361 balls.
The next to fall was Yusuf Pathan (20) at the score of 468. He was caught by VRV Singh off Ankur Kakkar. Solanki who hit 14 fours and a six in his knock of 111 became Charanjit's second victim at the team score of 485.
Pinal Shah remained not out on 53 while S Gaekwad remained unbeaten on 54. The most successful bowler for the hosts was Charanjit who took two for 133. VRV Singh, Manpreet Goni and Ankur Kakkar shared a wicket apiece.
Scorecard:
Punjab (1st innings): 496 for eight decl
Baroda (1st innings, overnight 251/1):
S Parab lbw b Gony 80
C Williams b C Singh 185
A Bilakhia lbw b Singh 47
R Solanki b C Singh 111
Y Pathan c Singh b Kakkar 20
P Shah not out 53
S Gaekwad not out 54
Extras: (b 10, lb 8, w 4, nb 11) 33
Total: (for 5 wickets in 156 overs) 583
Fall of wickets: 1-124, 2-251, 3-435, 4-468, 5-484
Bowling: G Singh 27-5-94-0, VRV Singh 28-0-115-1, M Gony 27-4-93-1, C Singh 36-4-133-2, R Inder 5-2-12-0, A Kakkar 21-5-76-1, K Goel 12-1-42-0
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