The scoreboard indicated another dull fourth-day draw, the norm rather than the exception this season, but in reality, the final day did provide a fair share of excitement.

Overnight 203 runs behind, Railways needed to bat out the entire day to ensure they didn’t lose the match outright. Unbeaten openers Bangar and Pagnis started off confidently, both marching to their half-centuries before lunch, settling the nerves in the dressing room.

But with the interval looming, Bangar got carried away, stepping down the track to Rajesh Pawar, only to be stumped by a distance.

Immediately after, Pagnis — who had contributed 67 to their 127-run partnership — became off-spinner Utkarsh Patel’s maiden first-class victim, edging a rising delivery to Satyajit Parab at slip. First innings top-scorer Karan Sharma walked in and walked out without troubling the scorers as he top-edged a paddle-sweep to slip. Railways had lost three wickets in 13 deliveries for the addition of just two runs, and they had plenty to worry about.

Sanjib Sanyal and Yere Goud fell in quick succession after the break, and defeat seemed inevitable. But Harshad Rawle and Mahesh Rawat ensured there were no further mishaps.

While Rawle stood his ground through some questioning spells from Pawar, Utkarsh and Irfan, Rawat also dug in resolutely. Connor Williams, the Baroda captain, tried every trick in the book to unsettle the pair, and there was plenty of chat from the close-in fielders. But the duo stood their ground.

Irfan fined 100% fee

Meanwhile, Irfan Pathan got into trouble with match-referee Sunil Chaturvedi, who found the left-arm pacer guilty of a level 2.7 offence after he hit Sanjay Bangar with a throw from the bowling end. He was fined 100% of his match fee. “He’s been fined for throwing the ball at the batsman in a dangerous manner to hurt,” Chaturvedi said.

Brief scores: Railways 224 & 240 for 5 (Mahesh Rawat 57 no, Amit Pagnis 67, Sanjay Bangar 55; Rajesh Pawar 3/62) vs Baroda 460/8