WADKAR SHORES UP VIDARBHA AFTER JITTERS

NAGPUR: Vidarbha’s lower order came to the fore again as it kept the home side afloat in the Irani Cup tie on Wednesday. The Ranji Trophy champions were 245 for six at the draw of stumps on the second day in reply to Rest of India’s 330 in the first innings.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Akshay Wadkar was unbeaten on 50 after bringing the team out of trouble after they were reduced to 149/4 and then 168/5. He added 58 for the sixth wicket with Aditya Sarwate (18). After having dismissed the Ajinkya Rahaneled Rest for 330 on the first day, the hosts began the second day cautiously with opener and skipper Faiz Fazal and Sanjay Ramaswamy adding 50 for the first wicket in 21 overs. Fazal, who made 27, edged one to wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan.

Both Ramaswamy and Atharva Taide, who was included in place of the injured Wasim Jaffer, then added 34 for the second wicket before Taide was dismissed leg before for 15.

Taide’s replacement Ganesh Satish looked good for a big score and added 62 for the third wicket with Ramaswamy. However, a couple of quick wickets brought Rest back into the game. Dharmendra Jadeja got rid of Ramaswamy (65) and Mohit Kale was caught behind off Krishnappa Gowtham for one leaving Vidarbha at 149 for four.

The onus was on Satish, who however was dismissed leg before by Jadeja just two runs short of his half-century. He faced 105 balls for his 48 during his twoand-a-half hour stay. It was then that Wadkar and Sarwate joined hands to put on their half-century partnership.

For the visitors, Jadeja and Gowtham took two wickets each while Rahul Chahar and Ankit Rajpoot managed a wicket apiece.