Baroda holds all the cards

Day Two of the Irani Trophy saw Baroda, hoping to build substantially on captain Connor Williams' century, fold within a matter of 20 overs. Williams became Tinu Yohannan's second wicket, caught behind for 143 with the score on 286.

From there, it was a matter of mopping up the tail, which Rest of India did with little fanfare. Sarandeep Singh completed his fivewicket haul by having Rakesh Patel caught by Kanitkar and Valmik Buch leg-before. Patel departed only after a flurry of strokes, giving him 44 off 66 balls with six fours and one six, enabled Baroda to cross the 300-run mark. The innings finally folded at 318.

Rest of India started off with a 50-run opening partnership between Vinayak Mane and Akash Chopra before the latter was caught by Buch off the bowling of left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan for 22. Mane played cautiously, circumscribing his usual aggression with a desire to build an innings. The strokes were still there, though, notably in his seven boundaries and a six.

VVS Laxman, hoping to use this fixture as invaluable match practice before his departure to South Africa, disappointed himself, snared by wicket-keeper Nayan Mongia off Buch for only 13. Hrishikesh Kanitkar too did not remain for long, departing after scoring 2, caught by Williams off Rakesh Patel.

Mane, witnessing the collapse from the other end, may have let it play on his mind. With the score on 92, he found himself walking back to the pavilion, LBW to Irfan Pathan. Rest of India found itself, at this stage, in serious danger of losing the reins.

It took gritty batting efforts from Dinesh Mongia and Ajay Ratra to bring them back. Mongia has to his name 47 from 111 balls and Ratra 35 from 87. Both remained unbeaten at the close of play and, being the only two recognised batsmen remaining in the side, it will fall to them on Day Three to convert their innings into ones capable of turning the match around for Rest of India.