Baroda scored 129 runs for loss of three wickets in their first innings in reply to Bengal's first innings total of 370 runs, still needing 241 runs to surpass Bengal's total at the Motibagh ground on the second day of the Elite group Ranji Trophy match in Vadodara on Friday.
At the close of play, Rakesh Solanki (43 n.o.) and vice captain Pinal Shah (21 n.o.) were at the crease.
The responsibility of surpassing the total of Bengal now rests on these two players.
It was bowler's day as 11 wickets fell and 237 runs were scored in contrast to first day's play when Bengal had scored 262 runs for the loss of only two wickets.
Bengal lost the important wicket of Arindam Das without any addition of runs when left-arm spinner Rajesh Pawar claimed his wicket.
During his 363 minutes stay at the crease, Das made 117 runs facing 217 deliveries with 18 runs.
The remaining batsmen failed to consolidate the position as the remaining seven wickets fell at regular intervals and could add only 108 runs to an overnight total of 262.
Off-break bowler Yusuf Pathan proved his mettle by capturing five wickets. He troubled Bengal batsmen and maintained his line and length.
Yusuf bowled at the right areas and made batsmen play the shots, while supporting him was right-arm medium pacer Sunit Singh who scalped three wickets.
Right from the start, Baroda bowlers were bang on target and never allowed the visitors to settle down.
Pawar was expensive who gave away 112 runs and took the lone wicket of Das.
Baroda had disastrous start when they lost opener and captain Connor Williams at a total of 34 runs. Satyajit Parab followed him later.
But then it was Rakesh Solanki who rescued his team.
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