Ratra, Bandekar slam centuries; Goa amass 476

Nagpur: Centuries from Test discard Ajay Ratra (121) and Saurabh Bandekar (100) put Goa on the driver`s seat as they ammassed a mammoth 476 all out off 149.5 overs against Vidarbha on second day of Ranji Trophy plate Group A match at VCA Jamtha stadium here today.

Vidarbha in reply lost two early wickets and were 113 for two by close of play. Amit Paunikar (47 not out) and Salabah Srivastav (31 not out) were in the process of resurrecting the home team innings.

Earlier, the overnight pair of Ratra and Bandekar, who added 176 runs for the sixth wicket, played some lively cricket to put the visitors in commanding position.

After Ratra`s departure, Bandekar consolidated the visitors` innings in company of lower-order batsmen. The home team bowlers struggled through the early part of the day as they lacked bite and penetration on an easy-paced wicket.

Only leg spinner Azhar Sheikh (4 for 71) showed some skill in inviting the batsman towards stroke making and succeeded.

Tail ender Amit Yadav (39 not out) played a cameo knock to swell the visitors` total. The home team have their task cut out on the third day to chase the huge total more so having lost the all important wicket of skipper Alind Naidu (0).

Bureau Report