Ranji Trophy | Vidharbha takes the first day’s honours as Karnataka’s attack fails to make inroads

Straight bat strategy: Opener Taide stood like a rock to report his second century of the match.
| Photo Credit: ASHWIN ACHAL

Patient knocks from Atharva Taide (109, 244b, 16×4, 1×6) and Yash Rathod (93, 157b, 12×4) put Vidarbha on high on the first day of its Ranji Trophy quarterfinal in opposition to Karnataka at the VCA Stadium (Civil Lines) right here on Friday.

A 184-run second-wicket stand between Taide and Rathod laid the platform for Vidarbha to attain 261 for 3.

Opener Taide stood like a rock to report his second century of the match.

Taide was pleased to bide his time, leaving balls exterior off and defending all threats with a straight bat. He took an old-school strategy to the lengthy format — merely bat for time.

The southpaw used timing and sharp footwork to put away the unfastened deliveries.

“The longer you bat, the higher. This is the recreation plan of our total crew,” Taide stated.

The 23-year-old was dismissed in the 81st over, trapped leg-before by left-arm spinner Hardik Raj. Taide obtained two lives, on 26 and 44, when V. Koushik and the slips cordon put down possibilities.

Rathod performed with extra freedom, particularly when the spinners got here on.

It took a wise ploy to break the partnership. Pacer Vidwath Kaverappa stationed Nikin Jose at backward square-leg and bowled bouncers. Rathod fell for the lure, hooking one to Jose.

Taide, nevertheless, couldn’t be lured in. “I used to be prepared to take blows on my physique, break my bones, fall down, however I used to be not prepared to fall for the bouncer lure,” Taide stated.

Karun Nair, who solely not too long ago shifted allegiance from Karnataka to Vidarbha, performed just a few pleasing cowl drives in his unbeaten 30.

Late in the day, Karun pushed arduous at a size ball and lobbed it again to Koushik. The quick bowler, transferring to his left on the observe by means of, caught his proper hand out however couldn’t maintain on to the catch.

Only just a few fast wickets in the first session on Saturday can hold Karnataka alive.

The scores:

Vidarbha — 1st innings: Atharva Taide lbw b Hardik 109, Dhruv Shorey lbw b Koushik 12, Yash Rathod c Jose b Kaverappa 93, Karun Nair (batting) 30, Akshay Wadkar (batting) 2; Extras (b-6, lb-6, w-3): 15; Total (for 3 wickets, in 86 overs): 261.

Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-206, 3-251.

Karnataka bowling: Kaverappa 18-4-67-1, Koushik 21-5-31-1, Vyshak 18-5-39-0, Dheeraj 14-0-51-0, Hardik 8-1-39-1, Samarth 7-2-22-0.