Goa cricketer Darshan Misal has achieved a significant milestone by completing 200 wickets in his Ranji Trophy career.
PANAJI
Riding on a brilliant 168 by seasoned middle-order batter, Dhruv Shorey, Vidarbha held the upper hand through the penultimate day against Goa in a third-round Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash at the VCA Jamtha Stadium, Nagpur on Wednesday.
At stumps, Goa were reduced to 41-1 still trailing the hosts by 181 runs with an onerous task ahead of saving the match.
Earlier in the morning, Vidarbha resuming at 217-3 received an early setback losing the young Danish Malewar for 56, an addition of five runs to his overnight score, and eight to the team total. But from thereon, it was all about the might of Vidarbha’s middle-order shored up by the seasoned campaigner, Dhruv Shorey. The 34-year-old Shorey continued from where he left off at stumps on Day 2, and piled on the runs at will. The 34-year-old Shorey resuming on 63, went on score a daddy hundred in his 80th First Class match. He struck his 16th First Class century – a masterly 168 (291b, 13x4, 1x6). His captain and team wicket-keeper, Akshay Wadkar played the enforcer’s role to stay unbeaten on an 83-ball 63. With the dismissal of Shorey at 442-8, and 222 runs in front, the hosts captain Wadkar declared the innings close and giving his bowlers a 23 overs crack.
In an otherwise all-Vidarbha day, the only spark for Goa was the wiry 25-year-old Right arm Medium Ruthvik Naik who enjoyed his first 5-for in his sixth First Class outing. Goa all-rounder Darshan Misal who claimed Shorey’s wicket, completed 200 First Class wickets for Goa in the process, in his 87th match at this level. Only one other player from Goa accomplished this feat – fellow Slow Left arm Orthodox, Shadab Jakati (275 wickets from 92 FC matches).
Making a comeback to the state side, Manthan Khutkar returned to his familiar opening position walking out with Suyash Prabudessai in Goa’s second innings. Prabudessai enduring an indifferent season thus far, fell early for 6, leg before to Right arm Medium Nachiket Bhute. Khutkar stood firm on 24 (71b, 3x4) along with his captain, Abhinav Tejrana on 8 as Goa went to stumps at 41-1 striving to take home a point from the match.
BRIEF SCORES
Goa, 1st innings: 220 in 93.5 ov (Yash Kasvankar 63*, Nachiket Bhute 5-48); Vidarbha, 1st innings: 442-8 decl in 134.2 ov (Dhruv Shorey 168, Akshay Wadkar 63*, Ruthvik Naik 5-70); Goa, 2nd innings: 41-1 in 23 ov (Manthan Khutkar 24*)
Goa trail Vidarbha by 181 runs with 9 wickets remaining
