NEW DELHI: Yash Rathod and Akshay Wadkar stitched together an unbeaten 91-run partnership as Vidarbha recovered from a mini-collapse to take a 260-run lead against Mumbai at stumps on Day 3 of their Ranji Trophy semifinal in Nagpur on Wednesday.
After dismissing Mumbai for 270 and securing a crucial 113-run first-innings lead, Vidarbha found themselves in early trouble at 56/4, thanks to Shams Mulani’s (2/50) incisive spell. However, Rathod (59*) and Wadkar (31*) stabilized the innings, guiding the hosts to 147/4 in 53 overs by the close of play.
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With two full days remaining and Mumbai’s spinners making the ball talk, Vidarbha know the job is far from done despite their commanding lead.
With a solid 113-run cushion, Vidarbha hoped for a strong start, but Mumbai all-rounder Shardul Thakur (1/14), set to join Essex for the County Championship, struck early in the second over. Thakur trapped Atharva Taide for a duck with an inswinger, offering Mumbai a glimmer of hope.
Danish Malewar (29), who scored a crucial 79 in the first innings, looked fluent with five boundaries before Mulani dismissed him with a sharp return catch, reducing Vidarbha to 40/2.
Karun Nair (6), in brilliant form this season, joined Dhruv Shorey (13) but couldn’t steady the innings. Off-spinner Tanush Kotian (1/33) trapped Shorey LBW with a classic off-break, further denting Vidarbha’s hopes.
Nair, expected to anchor the innings, fell to Mulani while attempting a defensive stroke. He reviewed the LBW decision, but the appeal was unsuccessful, leaving Vidarbha struggling at 56/4.
With Mumbai in control, Rathod and Wadkar dug in to rebuild the innings, playing cautiously against the spinners while finding occasional boundaries to keep the scoreboard moving. Their unbroken 91-run stand ensured Vidarbha regained stability before the end of play.
Earlier, Akash Anand’s gritty century helped Mumbai recover from an overnight 188/7. Anand, resuming on 67, played a patient knock, scoring 100 off 256 balls with 11 fours. He shared a crucial 69-run stand with Tanush Kotian (33), steering Mumbai close to the 250-mark.
Left-arm spinner Parth Rekhade broke the partnership, bowling Kotian with a well-flighted delivery. Anand, who had reached three figures with a boundary, fell in the 88th over, edging Nachiket Bhute behind while chasing a wide delivery.
Harsh Dubey claimed the final wicket, cleaning up Mohit Avasthi, as Mumbai were bowled out for 270 just before lunch.
Brief Scores: Vidarbha 383 & 147 in 53 overs (Yash Rathod 59 not out; Shams Mulani 2/50) lead Mumbai 270allout in 92 overs (Akash Anand 106; Parth Rekhade 4/55) by 260 runs.
