Zaheer displays felicity with both bat and ball

Baroda's penultimate game in the Ranji Trophy zonal league this season was an away fixture against Maharashtra early into the new millenium at the Deccan Gymkhana Ground in Pune. Baroda entered the game with the confidence that would have flowed from securing first innings points in both their previous encounters, including against formidable Mumbai.

Losing the toss they were invited by home team captain Sanjay Kondhalkar to take first strike. A sparkling hundred from Atul Bedade helped them to a first day score of 309/7. The next day Baroda's tail wagged on and most of the wagging was done by Zaheer Khan. The No.11 struck a breezy 48 from 82 balls including seven fours and a six. It was the third highest score of the innings and Zaheer merrily participated in a 74 run last wicket stand with Rakesh Patel.

That must have left him nicely warmed up for the action to follow. Zaheer removed middle order batsmen Kaushik Aphale and Shantanu Sugwekar cheaply that evening and came back on the following morning to pack off opener Surendra Bhave who had proved a thorn in Baroda's flesh with a diligent 113. His final figures of 3/65 were just reward for his exertions.

Maharashtra could muster only 213 and were forced to follow on. In their second essay, the 22 year old paceman was amongst the wickets again as he despatched opener Dheeraj  Jadhav for four. Maharashtra lived to close out the day at 176/3 and early on the fourth and final morning, Aphale fell to Zaheer for the second time in the match. After Satyen Lande was trapped leg before by Zaheer for one, Maharashtra had the panic buttons firmly pressed at 246/7, just 66 ahead.

But the hosts finally got their act together at that late stage and Abhijit Kale's double hundred hoisted them to 449 and out of harm's way. Zaheer's three wickets were purchased at a cost of 100 runs this time round, giving him match figures of 6/165. A fine all round showing from the youngster that lifted Baroda to the top of the points table at 15 points.