Vidarbha bowlers take control even after Easwaran scores fifty

Vidarbha bowlers take control even after Easwaran scores fifty

Irani Trophy: Vidarbha vs Rest of India: Abhimanyu Easwaran made a strong statement with a fifty on Day 2 of the Irani Cup. Meanwhile, skipper Rajat Patidar scored another half-century for Rest of India, bringing the team's total to 214.

Despite Abhimanyu Easwaran’s half-century, Vidarbha’s bowlers helped their team take control on the second day of the Irani Cup match against Rest of India. At the end of the day, the Rest of India were 142 for 5, still trailing Vidarbha’s first-innings total of 342 by 200 runs. Rajat Patidar remained unbeaten on 42 and will be crucial for the Rest of India on the third day.

Vidarbha began the day at 280 for 5, with Atharva Taide batting on 118. However, their innings didn’t last long. Yash Thakur and Harsh Dubey were dismissed in back-to-back overs, reducing them to 295 for 7. Taide and Darshan Nalkande added a valuable 37-run stand to push the score past 330. Gurnoor Brar broke the partnership by getting Nalkande caught behind for 20. Saransh Jain then wrapped up the innings in a single over, bowling Taide for a well-made 143 and having Aditya Thakare caught off Ruturaj Gaikwad two balls later.

The rest of India started steadily with Abhimanyu Easwaran and Aryan Juyal putting together a 52-run opening stand. But Nalkande trapped Juyal lbw to give Vidarbha their first breakthrough. Yash Dhull came in with attacking intent, hitting two boundaries off Harsh Dubey, but Dubey had the last laugh by stumping him for 11. Easwaran and Patidar then took the score past 100, with Easwaran reaching his fifty through an inside-edged four off Parth Rekhade. However, he was dismissed lbw in the same over, triggering a mini-collapse.

Ruturaj Gaikwad hit Thakur for two consecutive fours but was caught at deep backward point off the next ball. Ishan Kishan didn’t last long either, falling lbw to Rekhade for just 1. That left the Rest of India struggling at 124 for 5. Patidar and Manav Suthar managed to steady things and ensured no further damage until stumps.