Baroda seemed hapless against a supreme Gujarat showing as the visitors were staring down the barrel at 81 for four while following on in their Group B Ranji Trophy cricket encounter on Day 3 here today.
Replying to Gujarat's mammoth first innings score of 505, Baroda were bundled for 252 with Irfan Pathan, who also bagged a six-wicket haul, top-scoring with 58. Skipper Ambati Rayudu also contributed with a gutsy 47.
Made to follow-on, Baroda once again faltered in the final session with four of their top batsmen in the pavilion and the visitors still trailing by 172 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
If Priyank Kirit Panchal's 128 stood out in the Gujarat innings, then Axar Patel's all-round showing has also made it count for the Parthiv Patel-led side.
Coming in at No.8, Axar hit a fantastic 81 and has also bagged five wickets in the game so far.
The left-arm spinner led the wickets tally with three scalps in the first innings and has also picked up two wickets till now in the second innings.
Brief Scores:
Gujarat 505
Baroda 252 and 81/4 in 36 overs (Kedar Devdhar 35, Ambati Rayudu 4 not out, Yusuf Pathan 4 not out; Axar Patel 2-19).
