Vidarbha tightened its grip on the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals against Tamil Nadu after securing a commanding 128-run first-innings lead on day three at the VCA Ground, Nagpur on Monday.
Vidarbha’s Bowling Dominance
- The home team needed just 90 minutes in the morning session to dismiss TN for 225.
- Aditya Thakare starred with the ball, claiming his first five-wicket haul of the season.
- TN resumed at 159 for six but quickly lost R. Sai Kishore and M. Mohammed, both falling to Yash Thakur.
- Pradosh Ranjan Paul (48) and R. Sonu Yadav (32) provided some resistance, adding 49 runs for the ninth wicket, pushing TN past 200 before both batters were dismissed.
Vidarbha Extends Lead in Second Innings
- By stumps, Vidarbha reached 169 for five, extending their lead to 297 runs.
- Yash Rathod led the charge with a gritty unbeaten 55, ensuring Vidarbha stayed in control.
- Tamil Nadu’s bowlers fought back, with skipper Sai Kishore striking twice after lunch and Vijay Shankar removing Karun Nair early in the third session.
- Ajith Ram bowled Akshay Wadkar to leave Vidarbha at 114 for five, putting TN in a strong position.
Crucial Late Partnership
With the innings at a precarious stage, Harsh Dubey counterattacked, smashing two sixes off Sai Kishore, while Rathod played the anchor role. The duo added an unbeaten 55-run stand, ensuring Vidarbha ended the day with a firm grip on the match.
With a nearly 300-run lead, Vidarbha is well-positioned to push for a semifinal spot, while Tamil Nadu faces an uphill battle to stay alive in the contest. 🏏🔥