The Irani Cup has traditionally been the season's opener and often a virtual trial match for the year ahead

Class, so cricket pundits through the ages have knowledgeably told us, is permanent

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

At one stage, when Ajay Ratra and Dinesh Mongia were cantering along uninhibitedly, Rest of India looked certain to overhaul Baroda's total comfortably and establish a daunting first-innings lead

Day Two of the Irani Trophy saw Baroda, hoping to build substantially on captain Connor Williams' century, fold within a matter of 20 overs

A gritty hundred by Baroda opener and skipper Connor Williams saw the Ranji champions reach a respectable 265 for six against Rest of India at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground in Nagpur on Saturday

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