The inability of second rung of domestic batsmen to cope with movement on a green top came to the fore once again as the Ranji Trophy encounter between Bengal and Baroda saw as many 23 wickets falling on first day.
After Bengal skittled out Baroda for a meagre 97 riding on Ashoke Dinda's 6 for 45, little did they know what awaited them in second session. Young seamer Atit Seth (7/36) wreaked havoc as he blew away the Bengal top order who found swing and seam movement difficult to handle being bundled out for 76. With a slender lead of 21 runs, Baroda showed attacking intent in second innings reaching 63 for 3 with an overall lead of 84 runs.
The first innings lead is inconsequential in this match as there will certainly be an outright result but Baroda have their nose ahead.
Elsewhere, Back from injury break, Shikhar Dhawan looked in fluent touch as he hit six crisp boundaries in his unbeaten 29 with Delhi finishing the first day's play at 37 for no loss against Rajasthan in a Ranji Trophy group B encounter, here on Monday.This was after Rajasthan were bowled out for 238 in their first innings.
Nitin Bhille hit an unbeaten 102 while opener Saurabh Wakaskar (62) and Arindam Ghosh (61 not out) struck fine half-centuries to help Railways end Day 1 at a comfortable 249 for two against Madhya Pradesh in a Group A Ranji Trophy cricket match, here on Monday.