PTI, CUTTACK: Rahul Singh Gahlaut and Anshul Gupta slammed unbeaten half-centuries to help Services salvage a draw against Goa in their Ranji Trophy Group C cricket match against Services.
Goa took home three points on basis of their first innings lead at the DRIEMS ground in Tangi
Gahlaut, who scored a career-best 89 in the first innings, continued the impressive run in his maiden first class season as he slammed an unbeaten 70 in the second essay, his third from as many matches, to help Services return with one point.
With Services tottering for 52 for 4, the 21-year-old lefthander showed a lot of composure and put on a match-saving unbroken 136 partnership with Gupta (64 not out).
Services produced a comparatively decent batting performance in the second innings, after they were bowled out for a paltry total of 279 in their first innings.
Earlier, Services, resuming on 267 for 7 in reply to Goa’s mammoth 606 for 6 declared, folded with an addition of 11 runs to the overnight total and were enforced a follow-on.
It was Goa all the way in this game, as they first piled up a massive total of 606 for 6 declared, and made Services bat twice as they pushed for a victory. Sumiran Amonkar scored 101, but it was their captain Sagun Kamat’s splendid 304 off 453 balls which helped their team launch themselves for a big total. Snehal Kauthankar and Darshan Misal scored 45 each, whereas Shadab Jakati scored a fine 57 to help Goa declared their innings with a massive total on the board and the game firmly in their control.
With the ball in the first innings, Goa’s bowler Felix Alemao returned with the figures of 13-3-56-4, Jakati claimed 3 for 47 and RR Singh bagged 3 for 79. However, in the second innings, Services batted with a lot of responsibility, with Aanshul Gupta reaching 64 not out off 140 balls with 12 boundaries, and Rahul Singh Gahlaut scoring 70 not out off 191 balls with 10 fours.
Brief scores:
Goa: 606/6 decl
Services: 279 in 107.1 overs (Rahul Singh 89, Muzzaffaruddin Khalid 48, Ravi Chauhan 47; Felix Alemao 4/56) & 188/4 in 68 overs (Rahul Singh 70 not out, Anshul Gupta 64 not out).
Points: Goa 3, Services 1.
