Baroda set a steep target

A target of 273, constructed largely and painstakingly by Nayan Mongia and Himanshu Jadhav, stared Rest of India in the face as they started their run-chase. With one day to go and 213 runs still to get, Day Five of the Irani Trophy promises to be a humdinger.

Mongia, unbeaten overnight, retained his mode of sedate play. Hitting seven fours in a restrained knock, his 52 off 165 balls ended when Baroda still had considerable distance to traverse to a challenging total.

Wickets fell at regular intervals; after Mongia was snapped up by Sarandeep Singh, Rishikesh Parab was caught behind off Hrishikesh Kanitkar. Tushar Arothe and Umang Patel fell in quick succession, leaving Baroda reeling at 199 for six.

It was then that Himanshu Jadhav started farming the strike, ensuring that the lower middle order faced as few balls as possible. The departure of Rakesh Patel and Valmik Buch immersed Baroda further in the mire, but Irfan K Pathan provided Jadhav stout support.

Jadhav left finally with the score on 269, making 42 off 109 balls. The Pathans added a few more to the tally before Irfan K Pathan was bowled by Tinu Yohannan for 32 off 45 balls, ending Baroda's innings at 285.

Rest of India started disastrously, losing both openers with the score on six. Kanitkar and VVS Laxman then built the score up steadily, rotating the strike frequently; Kanitkar, however, was caught behind off Irfan K Pathan for 21 off 45 balls.

At the close of play, skipper Laxman, hoping to revive his batting fortunes ahead of his departure for South Africa, and Dinesh Mongia, the first innings hero, were unbeaten on 26 and 6 respectively. Knowing Laxman's penchant for long innings and Mongia's form, it is entirely possible that Rest of India reach 273 with little fuss. But Baroda's bowlers, inspired by a pitch that is falling apart, will be looking to skittle Rest of India out for far less.