Mumbai falter early in chase of 406 against Vidarbha in Ranji Trophy semis

NEW DELHI: A determined Vidarbha put Mumbai in a challenging position at 83 for three in their second innings in Nagpur as Day 4 concluded on Thursday. The defending champions now require 323 more runs to secure victory in the semi-final match on the final day. Mumbai face a daunting target of 406.

Yash Rathod's impressive 151 (252 balls, 11 fours) and captain Akshay Wadkar's resilient 52 (202 balls, 5x4) helped Vidarbha reach 292 all out after starting the day at 147 for four.

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With a substantial first-innings lead of 113 runs, Vidarbha established a formidable target of 406.

However, Mumbai's response appeared uncertain. Ayush Mhatre (18), Siddhesh Lad (2) and Mumbai skipper Ajinkya Rahane (12) fell to spin bowling as Vidarbha strengthened their position at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha, positioning themselves to avenge their previous season's Ranji Trophy final defeat.



Akash Anand, who scored 106 in the first innings, continued his solid performance with an unbeaten 27 off 92 balls, including one four.

Shivam Dube remained not out on 12. Mumbai's hopes rest on India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Tanush Kotian and Shams Mulani to mount a recovery on the final day.

The challenge appears significant, considering how spinners claimed three wickets in the final session.

Left-arm spinner Harsh Dube dismissed Mhatre and later had Lad stumped for two when he advanced down the pitch.

Parth Rekhade, in only his second First-Class match, captured Rahane's wicket leg-before, marking his third wicket. Anand and Dube survived until stumps without further losses.

The day highlighted Vidarbha's dominance, particularly through Rathod and Dube's performances.

Rathod's fifth century this Ranji Trophy season increased his total to 933 runs in nine matches at 58.31, including three half-centuries.

Left-armer Dube added two more dismissals on Thursday, raising his season's wicket count to 63 in nine matches, including six five-wicket hauls.

The morning session saw Rathod and Wadkar bat resolutely, frustrating Mumbai's bowlers. Rathod reached his century off 168 balls during a substantial 158-run partnership with Wadkar for the fifth wicket.

Mulani ended the partnership by bowling Wadkar for 52 in the 82nd over, and claimed three more wickets to finish with 6/85 from 44 overs. Kotian secured 3/81 while Thakur took one wicket.

Brief scores: Vidarbha 383 & 292 in 110.1 overs (Yash Rathod 151, Akshay Wadkar 52; Shams Mulani 6/85, Tanush Kotian 3/81) lead Mumbai 270 & 83/3 in 31 overs (Akash Anand 27 batting; Harsh Dubey 2/26, Parth Rekhade 1/16) by 323 runs.

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