Deshpande helps Vidarbha make a solid reply

Thanks to an unbeaten 114 by stumper AV Deshpande, Vidarbha made a spirited 189 for 2 in reply to Rajasthan's first innings total of 380 at stumps on the second day in their Central Zone Ranji trophy match at the Vidharba Cricket Association cricket ground in Nagpur on Friday.

After letting the Rajasthan tail wag considerably, Vidarbha got off to a solid start with openers Deshpande and AS Manohar (30) adding 72 runs in 20 overs. Manohar became the first casuality for Vidarbha when he was caught by Krishnakumar off AM Dave. With only two runs added to the total the new batsman SU Harbade departed with out opening his account, caught by S Bhatia off Dave. But RS Paradkar joined Deshpande and batted out the final session of play to guide Vidharba to safety.

Deshpande who took most of the strike has so far faced 190 balls for his 114 which were studded with 16 boundary hits.

Earlier resuming at the score of 287 for 7, Rajasthan total swelled to 351. The overnight batsmen Vineet Saxena (117) and RB Jalani (63) extended their eighth wicket partnership to 101 runs. Saxena was finally dismissed for a catch by Harbade off PV Gandhe. During a 464 minute stay at the crease, Saxena faced 328 balls and found the signboards 16 times.

Jalani on the other hand reached his fifty and was the next to be dismissed, being trapped leg before to PV Gandhe. The Rajasthan innings finally came to an end in the 119th over of the innings when the last batsman AM Dave was caught by Harbade of Gandhe. Gandhe was the pick of the Vidarbha bowlers with figures of 4 for 58.