Sidak strikes to restrict Sule

MUMBAI: A steady 69-run partnership between Tanush Kotian and Rohit Vaidya for the 7th wicket helped IES VN Sule to reach a first innings total of 298 against Rizvi Springfield on the second day of the Giles Shield elite final at the Brabourne stadium on Wednesday.
In reply, Springfield were 37 for no loss with Navneet Singh and Satyalaksh Jain at the crease.
Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 156 for 4, Sule lost Vaishnav Narvekar (71) and Kotian (70) early.Vaishnav was got rid of by Prathar Gupta, who had the batsman caught at mid-wicket.
That left Kotian to carry on the good work and he found an able ally in Rohit Vaidya and the two carried the team's total to 271 before Springfield skipper Sidak Singh struck with his left arm spin.
Sidak removed Kotian and Vaidya besides cleaning up the tail to return figures of 4 for 59.
Sule coach Gopal Koli, however, was happy with his boys' effort and said, "Our aim was 300 to 350. 298 is just as good. We have a good chance."
"The main thing tomorrow is to try and get them round them off for 250. We will try for that," he added.
Koli expressed faith in his left-arm spinners Vedak and Partha Sawant, along with offie Kotian. "These three have proven their worth in the past. They should do the needful tomorrow too," he added. On his part, Rizvi coach Raju Pathak was optimistic given his team's strong batting.
"I don't think, any of their bowlers can cause any problems. It is a good batting wicket, and we have two more days."
Speaking about the target, he said, "We are going to play without any pressure. Apart from our openers there is Abrail, Piyush, Sidak. I have asked each of my boys to play their natural game."