Pathan knock provides Baroda with a chance

Pathan’s blistering, unbeaten 86 from 61 balls helped Baroda end the day on a healthy 281/6 in the Ranji Trophy semi-finals match against Delhi on Monday. This means Baroda lead by 209 with four wickets in hand. And with the pitch expected to aid spinners, Pathan the offie will have the focus on him during the last two days of the game.

Pathan’s blitzkrieg finally increased the pace of the game that has been dominated by the bowlers so far. Three quick wickets meant, Baroda urgently needed a partnership. That was when southpaw Rakesh Solanki and Pathan forged an association that helped Baroda come out of the woods. Pathan walked in with the last session just two balls old and added 118 runs with Solanki in just 22 overs. Interestingly, out of the first 100 runs scored by the pair Solanki managed 32. Pathan’s three sixes and 13 boundaries, meant Delhi who seemed to have a tight grip on the game were suddenly in trouble. Pathan’s hit two sixes off Aditya Jain and one off Chaitnya Nanda.

Pathan was pleased with the way things have gone for him and his team. “This is how I play. If the ball is there to be hit, I don’t like defending it. I have to continue from here since I know my knock will be crucial for our chances,” he said.

However, Pathan swashbuckling innings overshadowed Solanki’s contribution. His patient 96 off 229 balls came at the time when his team lost three quick wickets. Connor Williams (0), Satyajit Parab (11) and Azhar Bilakhia (17) were all in the hut with the scoreboard showing just 56 runs. Baroda coach Paras Mhambrey wore a smile on his face after the game. “Whenever Pathan play well, we do well,” he said. The coming two days will decide that.

Brief scores: Baroda: 199 & 281/6 (R Solanki 96, S Gaekwad 46, Y Pathan 86 no; P Awana 3/58, R Bhatia 2/20) vs Delhi: 271