Bangar,Shukla show Railways how its done

However,one thing is sure: Gouds tactics arent doing his team any favours. In the last 51 minutes of play,the veteran scored a total of one run,even keeper Rawat collected 26,including five boundaries in their unbroken stand of 28. The decision by the Rajasthan bowlers,especially left-arm orthodox Gajendra Singh,who resorted to bowling a negative line also explains Gouds lack of enthusiasm. Yet,Bangar was understandably delighted at the end of the days play,even going as far as claiming that the darkness had passed.

It was bound to happen, said Bangar. Shreyas and Shivakant gave us a good start with their second wicket stand they set the tone for us. Yere is still there and the pitch is playing okay,except when their left-arm spinner bowls from over the wickets. Anything can happen.

Earlier,Shivakant Shukla and skipper Bangar made half-centuries to ease the pressure off the worried dressing room. Although Bangar 79 and Shukla 87 fell on either side of the tea break,the smiles remained a constant in the Railways camp for obvious reasons. They had lived to fight a final day.

Brief scores: Rajasthan 521/8 decl; Railways 276/4 S Shukla 87,S Bangar 79,Y Goud batting 35,M Rawat batting 26; V Yadav 3/64