PANAJI
Hosts Vidarbha were in firm control against Goa in a third-round Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash at the VCA Jamtha Stadium, Nagpur on Tuesday, with seven wickets in hand and only three runs behind.
Goa could only add another 16 runs to their overnight score to be bundled out for 220 within eight overs of the second morning of the match. Yash Kasvankar stayed unbeaten on a gritty 63 (212b, 5x4) as Vasuki Kaushik (6) and Shubham Tari (0) fell to the Vidarbha pacers - Rajneesh Gurbani and Nachiket Bhute respectively. With the fall of the last wicket of Tari, the 26-year-old Right arm Medium Bhute completed his fourth 5-for in his 22nd First Class match.
In reply, Vidarbha suffered an early setback in the first essay, losing Satyam Bhoyar for 2 off Vasuki Koushik. From thereon, the hosts built small partnerships to take themselves within striking distance of Goa’s first innings score.
Vidarbha lost only another two wickets in the day’s play. The other opener, Aman Mokhade contributed 39 when he was caught behind by Goa wicketkeeper, Shivendra Bhujbal off lanky pacer, Ruthvik Naik at the team score of 66. Mokhade raised a 58-run second wicket stand with one-down batter Ravikumar Samarth.
Similarly, in Dhruv Shorey, Samarth found an ally to raise another 58-run partnership at a similar rate. At his dismissal with Vidarbha at 124-3, Samarth had played his part to put the hosts on the front foot. Samarth compiled 53 (122b, 5x4) before nicking one behind off Right arm Medium, Vasuki Koushik. At close of play, Vidarbha were 217-3 with the experienced Dhruv Shorey batting well on 63 (128, 5x4) and the rising talent, Danish Malewar on 51 (85b, 7x4) for company. The Shorey- Malewar association realised an unbroken 93-run (157b) stand for the fourth wicket as the hosts dictated the proceedings.
BRIEF SCORES
Goa, 1st innings: 220 in 93.5 overs (Yash Kasvankar 63*, Darshan Misal 51, Nachiket Bhute 5-48); Vidarbha, 1st innings: 217-3 in 74 overs (Dhruv Shorey 63*, Ravikumar Samarth 53, Danish Malewar 51*, Vasuki Koushik 2-27)
Vidarbha trail Goa by 3 runs with 7 wickets remaining
