Rajasthan take vital first innings lead over Vidarbha

Rajasthan extended their overall lead to 206 ending the third day at 132 for 2 in the Central Zone Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha at the Vidarbha Cricket Association ground in Nagpur on Saturday. Earlier resuming at 189 for 2 Vidarbha in their first innings were all out for 306, giving Rajasthan a first innings lead of 74 runs.

Rajasthan started their second innings on a confident note with openers Nikhil Doru (54 not out) and Vineet Saxena (27) adding 53 runs in 19.5 overs. Saxena was the first to be dismissed when he was caught by Dhiraj Sharma off PV Gandhe. RJ Kanwat who replaced Saxena at the crease partnered Doru till the score reached 116. But at this point Kanwat fell for a catch to Khare off Gandhe.

Then Doru and AS Jain (7) saw through the final four overs of the day. Vidarbha who resumed with overnight centurion AV Deshpande (128) and Paradkar (56) proceeded to 221 when Paradkar was trapped leg before by Anup Dave. Paradkar during his 176 minute stay at the middle faced 130 balls and hit seven fours. Seven balls later, his partner Deshpande joined him in the pavilion, caught by Gagan Khoda off L Jain. But thereafter none of the Vidarbha batsmen lasted long enough at the crease to help Vidarbha take the first innings lead. Anup Dave (3 for 75) and L Jain (3 for 36) were the pick of the Rajasthan bowlers.