Nagpur, Oct 2 (PTI): Ranji champions Vidarbha exerted pressure on the Rest of India batsmen, leaving them at 142 for 5 when bad light caused an early finish to Day 2 of their Irani Cup clash on Thursday.
Starting the second day at 280 for 5, Vidarbha managed to add 62 runs in 17.4 overs before being bowled out for 342 during the morning session. They faced a total of 101.4 overs.
Overnight centurion Atharva Taide contributed an additional 25 runs, departing after a commendable knock of 143.
In response, Rest of India struggled, with only opener Abhimanyu Easwaran (52) and skipper Rajat Patidar (42 not out) providing resistance as they closed the day on 142 for 5 from 53 overs, trailing Vidarbha by 200 runs.
Manav Suthar (1 not out) partnered Patidar when the umpires ended play early due to poor light readings.
In the morning's 10-over session, Rest of India scored 20 runs without losing a wicket with Easwaran and Aryan Juyal remaining at the crease by lunch.
Post-lunch, they amassed 74 runs for the loss of two wickets. Easwaran and Juyal constructed a 52-run partnership for the opening stand before Juyal was dismissed for 23 off 63 deliveries by Parth Rekhade in the 20th over.
Yash Dhull, who came in at number three, offered little resistance, scoring 11 off 12 balls before falling to Harsh Dubey.
At the tea interval, Rest of India was positioned at 94 for 2, trailing by 248 runs. Only 48 runs were added in the shortened final session, which saw early stumps due to fading light.
Significantly, Rest of India lost three vital wickets, those of Easwaran (52), Ruturaj Gaikwad (9), and Ishan Kishan (1), handing Vidarbha the advantage.
For Vidarbha, Parth Rekhade emerged as the standout bowler with figures of 2/24, supported by Harsh Dubey, Darshan Nalkande, and Yash Thakur, each taking a wicket.
Brief Scores: Vidarbha 1st Innings: 280/5 in 84 overs (Atharva Taide 118 not out, Yash Rathod 91; Akash Deep 2/35, Manav Suthar 3/64). Rest of India 1st Innings: 142 for 5 in 53 overs (Abhimanyu Easwaran 52, Rajat Patidar 42 not out; Parth Rekhade 2/24).
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