News Byte

K Das completed his second five-wicket haul of the match by claiming five wickets for 41 runs to give a Goa chance of a probable victory against Haryana in their Third Round Elite, Group C, Ranji Trophy match being played at Rohtak. Chasing a victory target of 285 runs, Goa reached 30 for 2 in their second innings at the close of third day's play, and still need 255 more runs with 8 wickets in hand on the fourth and final day of the match on Friday. After batsmen's poor show conceded them 99 runs first innings lead, a lot depended on Goa bowlers, especially their first innings hero K Das, to make early inroads and contain the Haryana batsmen from taking a big lead. Das received support from fellow seamer Felix Alemao as the duo broke the backbone of Haryana's batting lineup. At one stage the hosts were tottering at 115 for 9, but strong resilience from Pramod Chandila helped them post 185 runs in their second innings and give the visitors a 285-run victory target. For Goa, K Das once again impressed clinching yet another five-wicket haul to take his match tally to 11 wickets. Felix Alemao grabbed 2, while Lakshay Garg, Darshan Misal and Amit Verma scalped one wicket each. Chasing the not-so-easy target in the fourth innings of the match, Goa needed a strong start from the two openers Sumiran Amonkar and Amogh Desai. Amonkar departed after making only 2 runs with team's score reading 3 for 1. Amogh also went back after contributing only 5 runs, leaving the team precariously placed at 9 for 2. Skipper Sagun Kamat and No 4 batsman Amit Verma then played out the remaining overs. At the close of day's play, Sagun was unbeaten on 10 and giving him company at the other end was Amit Verma, who was on 9.