Monday, November 25, 2013

Shrivastava scores daddy hundred

Vidarbha captain unbeaten on 187, Ruikar batting 48; hosts 457-6 in first innings against Karnataka

 By Paritosh Pramanik

RESPONSIBILITY brings the best out of those who crave to excel. There are few who love performing under pressure. Vidarbha captain Shalabh Shrivastava belongs to that breed. He had done the same last year while scoring 97 against the same opposition at Mysore and on Friday, too, he continued his love affair with Karnataka, this time at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium.
What Vidarbha needed was big innings from overnight batsmen Faiz Fazal and Shrivastava. But where Fazal failed to convert his century into a big innings, Shrivastava dug deep to score his career’s second century on the second day of their Group A Ranji Trophy match.
Though Vidarbha scored only 213 runs in 89 overs on the day, it was a change in gameplan once they lost two middle-order batsmen in quick succession.
At stumps, the hosts were 457 for 6 from 189 overs. Shrivastava was still unbeaten on 187 with Sumit Ruikar giving him company on 48.
If the opening day belonged to Fazal, the second day was all about Shrivastava’s innings which revolved around one unfortunate and one silly run out decision.
A lot was expected from Fazal (147) but he could add only eight runs to his overnight tally as he nicked one to captain and keeper CM Gautam off HS Sharath.
Karnataka took the new ball on the second morning and the red cherry did the trick as Sharath managed to move it slightly away from Fazal. It kissed his bat and landed in keeper’s gloves.
Shrivastava, 75 overnight, negotiated the seam well in the first hour. He hit a straight boundary off Sharath to move into 90s. The carpet driven shot had both, power and timing. Shrivastava completed his century with a nudge to legside. His open arms celebrations showed how important this innings was for him as well as for the team. The Vidarbha captain did not stop there. He continued his dream innings and scored some beautiful boundaries, straight down, through covers and a couple to third man with deliberate nudges.
When it looked that Vidarbha would consolidate their position they suffered a blow in Rashmi Ranjan Parida (2) getting run out. Parida drove towards covers and immediately set off for a run only to be send back by Shrivastava. Abrar Kazi threw the ball to Gautam for a simple run out.
Former skipper Ranjit Paradkar and Shrivastava added another 54 runs for the sixth wicket and when it looked that the scoring rate would increase Paradkar was unfortunate to get run out. 
Shrivastava’s powerful straight drive got deflected off Kazi’s fingers into the stumps with Paradkar stranded outside the crease.
Shrikant Wagh, known for his flashy and hard hitting batting, failed to score as he managed only four from 37 deliveries before being caught at slips by Manish Pandey from a Sharath delivery. 
That forced Vidarbha to change their gameplan.
In between, Shrivastava completed his 150 from 367 deliveries as his partners changed at other end.
With Ruikar, Shrivastava managed to add unbeatable 88 runs for the eighth wicket.
Karnataka toiled for two days and looked mentally and physically tired. With no assist from pitch, Gautam used as many as eight bowlers. Frustration was writ large on their faces as they indulged in negative bowling after tea. 

The umpires even warned the Karnataka skipper but to no avail. Debutant Kazi bowled well giving 90 runs from 53 overs which included 18 maidens.
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We can take ten wickets on this pitch: Shalabh
n Principal Correspondent

VIDARBHA might have crawled to 457 for six on the second day and have lost the initiative of at least taking first innings lead against Karnataka but skipper Shalabh Shrivastava enthused confidence in his bowlers saying they were capable of taking ten wickets.
“Definitely, I would look for a double ton tomorrow. It is not yet decided when to declare innings but I have faith in my bowlers. We have Umesh Yadav who can bowl at a speed of more than 140 kmph. After fielding for two days Karnataka batsmen are tired and I am confident that our bowlers would trouble them,” Shrivastava said after the day’s play.
Shrivastava is on way to his maiden double hundred ending the day at 187. “I am happy with my performance. But I would rate by innings of 97 against the same opponents last year at Mysore higher because that team had better bowlers. They had R Vinay Kumar, Stuart Binny, Abhimanyu Mithun, Sharath. That innings was more satisfying,” said the Vidarbha skipper.

Shrivastava said they had to change their plan after losing quick wickets. “We lost Faiz early and then the two big wickets in Parida and Paradkar forced us to change our gameplan. Their departure forced me to play more responsibly and take the total past 450 without any further damage,” he mentioned.

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