Chasing 406 for win, defending champions end day 4 at 83/3
NAGPUR: There is something about Ranji Trophy semifinals that brings the best out of Yash Rathod. Last year, his 141 laid the foundation for Vidarbha’s win against Madhya Pradesh. On Thursday, Rathod’s marathon knock helped Vidarbha push Mumbai into a tight corner.
Riding on Rathod’s 151 (252b; 11×4) and skipper Akshay Wadkar‘s 52 (202b;5×4), Vidarbha posted 292 in the second innings to set Mumbai a 406-run target. The duo batted long enough to ensure that Mumbai don’t get enough time in pursuit of the target. By the end of Day Four, the defending champions were 83 for three, still 323 runs adrift of a place in the final.
Rathod, playing only his 17th first-class match, showed remarkable temperament to assess the pitch perfectly. Unfazed by the unpredictable bounce of the pitch, Rathod scored 92 runs on Thursday. Wadkar, at the other end, scored 21 from 100 balls in the day. “Our plan was to bat as long as we can without thinking about runs. Of course, if we were to stay on the wicket, runs were bound to come,” Rathod said.
The plan worked perfectly as Rathod posted his first 150-plus score in Ranji Trophy. He was the last man out as Vidarbha finished with a lead of 405. The Vidarbha spinners came to the party immediately.
The 10th ball bowled by Harsh Dubey, an arm delivery, went through the bat and pad of opener Ayush Mhatre (18;26b;2×4). Soon, Siddhesh Lad (2;10b) stepped out to Dubey to be stumped.
Skipper Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed for 12 after a Parth Rekhade delivery stayed low and caught him leg-before.
Brief Scores: Vidarbha 383 & 292 (Y Rathod 151, A Wadkar 52; S Mulani 6-85, T Kotian 3-81) lead Mumbai 270 & 83/3 (H Dubey 2-26, P Rekhade 1-16) by 322 runs
