News Byte

PORVORIM Goa lost to Rajasthan by 10 wickets on the fourth and final day of their Elite, Group C, Ranji Trophy match at GCA Academy ground in Porvroim on Wednesday. Resuming the day at 199 for 5, the rest of the Goa batsmen could add only 96 runs on the board as their second innings folded out for 295, setting Rajasthan a paltry 27-run target for an outright win. Openers Amit Kumar Gautam (11) and Chetan Bist (15) completed the formality for Rajasthan with ease, reaching the target in just five overs. Overnight not out batsman Amit Verma, completed his century before being dismissed for 118, was the top scorer for Goa on the final day. Suyash Prabhudesai scored a run-a-ball 37 and also shared a vital 59-run stand with Amit Verma for the sixth wicket, that helped the hosts avoid a possible innings defeat. Goa's last two recognised batsmen Darshan Misal and Samar Dubhashi departed without troubling the scorer. While Misal could score only 5 runs in his 9-ball stay, Dubhashi was sent back after he made just one run in 8 balls. Lakshay Garg, who hit a fine half century in Goa's last game against Assam, played his usual self and hit three boundaries in his 18-ball 14, before being the last man to be dismissed. Krishna Das remained not out on 5. Rajasthan pocketed seven points from the outright win and are now atop Group C with 44 points from eight games, which includes six wins and two draws. Goa, on the other hand, having conceded six defeats from eight games languish at the bottom of the group with only 6 points. Brief scores: Rajasthan 513/8 declared & 27/0 beat Goa 244 & 295 (Amit Verma 118, Rahul Chahar 5/81) by 10 wickets.