Ranji Trophy: Atharva Taide, spinners script Vidarbha comeback against Andhra

NAGPUR: After being knocked out in the first innings, batters dished out a performance worthy of their reputation in second outing to script comeback on Sunday. Powered by opener Atharva Taide 's century knock, Vidarbha posted 366 in second innings to set a 318-run victory target for Andhra Pradesh in the Elite Group B Ranji Trophy match at VCA Civil Lines Stadium.

Andhra were 79 for 1 in 21 overs when bad light brought an early end to Day 3, with left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey accounting for Hanuma Vihari (22;34b;3x4). Vidarbha bowlers, especially the spinners, would fancy their chances on a Day 4 pitch with Andhra still needing 239 runs with nine wickets in hand.

Vidarbha started Day 3 meaning business, looking for quick runs. Opener Taide (118;170b;15x4;2x6) couldn't add much to his overnight century knock falling to medium pacer Satyanarayana Raju. While debutant Danish Malewar (61;134b;6x4) played out a solid knock, Karun Nair (43;78b;5x4) and skipper Akshay Wadkar 40 (57b;5x4) scored briskly as Vidarbha finished their second innings on 366 in 102.1 overs.

The Vidarbha fightback was initiated by spinners Akshay Wakhare and Dubey on Saturday. With Andhra starting on 114 for 1, just four adrift of Vidarbha's first innings total, things looked bleak for the hosts. However, Vidarbha spinners found enough purchase from the Day 2 pitch as Andhra lost nine wickets for the addition of just 53 runs.

Young spinner Dubey triggered the Andhra collapse by removing opener Abhishek Reddy (68;136b;12x4) and Srikar Bharat (6;11b;1x4) after Nachiket Bhute had sent back Shaik Rasheed.

Veteran off-spinner Wakhare, brought into the attack quite late, removed Andhra skipper Ricky Bhui and later bundled up the rival innings. Wakahre, with his guile, proved too hot to handle for Andhra batters. He gave away just 10 runs in as many overs while sending back four batters. Harsh Dubey finished with 4 for 52 in 19 overs as Andhra were bowled out for 167 in 64.1 overs.

Vidarbha's second innings saw openers Taide and Aman Mokhade score at a brisk rate on Saturday to wipe out the 49-run innings deficit in quick time. The solid opening stand saw Vidarbha reach 137 in 36 overs, a run rate of over 3.80, before Mokhade (53;98b;5x4) fell to Tripurana Vijay.

BRIEF SCORES

Vidarbha: 118 & 366 all out in 102.1 overs (Atharva Taide 118, Danish MAlewar 61, Aman Mokhade 53, Karun Nair 43, Akshay Wadkar 40; Tripurana Vijay 4-98, Lalith MOhan 3-114, Satyanarayana Raju2-50) lead Andhra Pradesh: 167 all out & 79 for 1 in 21 overs (Abhishek Reddy 38*, Shaik Rasheed 18*; Harsh Dubey 1-29) by 238 runs.