Riding on a brilliant batting display by debutant Ketan Panchal (72), hosts Baroda took a huge 172-run first innings lead against Karnataka on the second day of the four-day Ranji trophy Elite Group 'A' match in Baroda on Friday.

The visitors, who made yet another disastrous start in their second essay, losing four top order batsmen for only 96 runs, would have been in a more precarious situation had Deepak Chougule (53) and wicketkeeper V S Thilak Naidu (31) not played stubbornly in an unbeaten 84-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

By close of the day's play, the duo helped Karnataka surpass the huge first innings deficit of 172 without any further loss as the scoreboard read 180 for four in 52 overs.

While spinner Rajesh Pawar claimed the first three wickets, those of Robin Uthappa (34), skipper Rowland Barrington (3) and Bharat Chipli (32), giving away 59 runs, Rakesh Patel, who had a five wicket haul in the first innings, dismissed C Raghu (17) while conceding 40 runs.

With two full days' play remaining, Karnataka virtually face a daunting task.

Earlier, resuming at 128 for 4, Baroda suffered an early jolt when skipper Jacob Martin was dismissed for 33, adding only five runs to his overnight score. The other overnight batsman - Panchal (72), with able support of Yusuf Pathan (33), enabled Baroda pile 257 runs in reply to Karnataka's first innings score of 85.

Being unable to withstand the spin and pace attack, Karnataka, who began their second essay shortly after lunch, crashed to 96 for 4 before Chougule and Naidu stemmed the collapse.