13 Vidarbha cricketers to go under hammer in IPL Auction

By Paritosh Pramanik

THIRTEEN Vidarbha players including two capped ones will go under the hammer during the mega auction of IPL which is scheduled to be held at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on November 24 and 25. 

The BCCI released the pruned list of foreign and Indian players on Friday night.

India pacer Umesh Yadav, who last year played for Gujarat Titans, has opted to go under the hammer at the base price of Rs 2 crore. The 37-year-old Yadav has played nine T20 Internationals and 148 IPL matches representing Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders apart from Gujarat Titans. Last year, he was picked by GT for Rs 5.80 crore. 

Another Indian player, stumper Jitesh Sharma will be auctioned starting from the base price of Rs 1 crore. Last season, Jitesh, who was the Vice-Captain of Punjab Kings, played 14 matches. He has also represented Mumbai Indians in the past.

Hard-hitting Vidarbha batters Shubham Dubey and Apoorv Wankhade along with Karun Nair, Atharva Taide, Yash Thakur, Darshan Nalkande, Saurabh Dubey, Harsh Dubey, Praful Hinge, Shubham Kapse and Dipesh Parwani will go into the auction with a base price of Rs 30 lakh.

Shubham Dubey was picked by Rajasthan Royals last season after a strong bidding war for Rs 5.80 crore. Earlier this month he was invited by a few franchises including Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians for trials.

Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey is among the wickets this Ranji season topping the chart with 36 wickets. But will the franchises pick him on the basis of red ball cricket will be biggest question.

Vidarbha opener Taide was picked by Punjab Kings last year but the left-handed batter got only two matches to show his skills. Another interesting player to watch out for would be pacer Yash Thakur who was a revelation for Lucknow last season picking some crucial wickets. He played 10 matches for LSG and the franchise might again show interest in the pacer who is recovering a shin injury at NCA in Bengaluru.

Another pacer Nalkande, who played two games for GT last season, has also registered for the auction so does Kapse, Hinge and Saurabh Dubey. Hinge bowled well in Vidarbha’s match against Gujarat and has also contributed with the bat hitting four sixes.

All the players are hoping to get picked by some franchises this season.

Vidarbha take 3 points after dramatic end against Gujarat

By Paritosh Pramanik

IT was panning out as a dull draw in the morning and afternoon sessions but as shadows lengthened at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium on Saturday, the Ranji Trophy match between Vidarbha and Gujarat turned out to be a dramatic one by the time the last over of the day and match was bowled. 

Vidarbha were at the doorsteps of taking another six points (or might be seven) but had to settle with just three as Gujarat denied them an outright win at the fag end of the day scoing 237-9 from 81 overs.

With this draw Vidarbha consolidated their position at the top of Group B in points table with 28 points followed by Himachal who have 21 and Gujarat 19.

Resuming at 512-8, Vidarbha batted out Gujarat to post a mammoth 545-9 (decl) and took a big 202 runs lead after batting for around half an hour on the fourth morning.

As per captain Akshay Wadkar’s admission, they wanted to bat only once in the match. They thought that the lead of 202 would be enough for the bolwers, looking at their previous wins where they had taken all 20 wicktes in the match.

But the pendulum swung back and forth and when Vidarbha thought they will record their fifth win of the season, Gujarat tail wagged.

The hosts managed to reduce Gujarat to 73-3 at lunch but Umang Rohit Kumar (50) rebuilt their innings twice. First, he and Manan Hingrajia (19) put up 36 runs for the third wicket and then Jaymeet Patel (21) joined Umang in the middle to frustrate Vidarbha with 49 runs for the fourth wicket.

Vidarbha bounced back in the game with the wicket of Umang in the 32nd over with Akshay Wakhare forcing him to baloon a catch to Harsh Dubey.

However, wicketkeeper Het Patel (77*) and Jaymeet ensured that they take tea at 161 for five putting up 35 runs for the fifth wicket. 

But Wakhare (1-76) tilted the match back in Vidarbha’s favour castling the wicket of Jaymeet.

Vidarbha regrouped after the break and changed their plans by introducing part-timer Atharv Taide from Pavilion end. And the left-hander immediatey gave Vidarbha the breakthrough with the wicket of Gujarat captain Chintan Gaja (4) who was caught by Dubey.

The victory was in sight and Vidarbha put pressure on Gujarat tailenders. But Het Patel was solid at one end denying Vidarbha bowlers his prized wicket.

Vidarbha used another part-timer in Karun Nair and he stunned the opponents with two wickets in two deliveries.

He first got well-set Patel beautifully caught by Player of the Match Danish Malewar at forward short leg who dived in front to pounce the red cherry.

The next delivery, Arzan Nagwaswalla was trapped in front. From 202 for 7, Gujarat were lingering at 217 for nine. With remaining overs of the day reducing fast, Vidarbha used all the tricks but Siddharth Desai (9*) and Tejas Patel (15*) survived some anxious moments to deny Vidarbha chance to bat again and score the meagre 35 runs.

Captain Wadkar was dejected for not getting six points with win but said that even three is important.

“Yes, six points would have been much better but we would take three happily,” Wadkar said after the match. 

He said that there was hardly anything for the spinners and only the roughs created by the bowlers’ footmarks came handy.

“There was nothing for spinners in this pitch. Whatever help we got was from the footmarks only. We were aware of this nature (of pitch) hence we extended our batting today. We wanted to take our lead to 200 plus runs,” he said.

Jamtha turns Centurions Park

Malewar, Nair, Wadkar hit tons as Vid take 169 runs lead against Gujarat

By Paritosh Pramanik

DANISH Malewar, Karun Nair and captain Akshay Wadkar scored a century each as Vidarbha scored mammoth 512 for 8 to take first innings lead against Gujarat in their Group B match of Ranji Trophy at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium on Friday.

Resuming at 202 for two, overnight batters Malewar (115) and Nair (123) completed their respective centuries in the morning session. Wadkar then played captain’s innings to hit 104 from 152 deliveries as the hosts took a huge 169 runs first innings lead.

Malewar and Wadkar, who were caught by wicketkeeper Het Patel on no-balls, used those lives to perfection scoring their centuries. On the second day, Malewar was caught by stumper Patel when on 40 only to be called back after Vishal Jayswal bowled a no ball. On Friday, Wadkar had scored only two runs when he was caught by the keeper but this time Siddharth Desai bowled a no ball. Taking advantage of those reprieves, both Malewar and Wadkar scored centuries.

Wadkar, who came to bat after lunch, hit 10 boundaries and three sixes to remain unbeaten on 104, his 10 FC hundred, along with Praful Hinge who cracked four sixes to add an entertaining 26 from 33 balls.

In the morning, Malewar, overnight 76, was determined not to “play casually” and completed his maiden century with a boundary towards long-on off spinner Jayswal.

“I was eager to score a hundred. In previous innings, my approach was casual after scoring 40s and 50s but now I want to concentrate on my batting and score big runs,” Malewar had said after the end of second day’s play.

The 21-year-old batter completed his well-deserved century before his senior partner Nair, who started the day with 81 runs. Malewar’s knock had 16 boundaries and two sixes. A few overs later, Nair too completed his 20th First-Class century.

He has sent 16 balls to the fence and three over the ropes.

They both added 222 runs for the third wicket before both were caught by wicketkeeper Patel in space of six overs. After their departure, captain Wadkar joined Yash Rathod and they added 39 runs for the fifth wicket. Later, Harsh Dubey and Wadkar put up a crucial 75 runs for sixth wicket in just 83 balls which frustrated Gujarat bowlers. 

Tejas Patel took three wickets for Gujarat.

Malewar, Nair reply with fifties

Both hit unbeaten half centuries as Vid score 202-2 on Day 2 after Gujarat post 343 in first innings

By Paritosh Pramanik

DANISH Malewar was only 10 years old when Karun Nair made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2013 for Karnataka against Punjab.

But on Thursday, Malewar, 21, matched his strokes with that of 32-year-old Nair, who is now playing for Vidarbha as a professional as they stitched an unbeaten 152 runs for the third wicket to help the hosts end the second day at 202 for two against Gujarat at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium on Thursday. 

Vidarbha still trail by 141 runs with eight wickets standing.

Restricting Gujarat at 343 after they resumed Day Two from 281 for six, the two Vidarbha batters defied the visiting bowlers with their fine unbeaten half centuries. Nair is unconquered on 81 while Malewar is following him with undefeated 76 runs.

Nair and Malewar did the rebuilding act perfectly after Vidabha lost openers Atharva Taide (13) and Dhruv Shorey (27) in quick succession before tea break. Nair showed why he is rated so highly in domestic circuit as he hit some classic cover drives, flicks to the fine-leg fence and used his soft hands for delectable fours towards third-man.

Nair, who had scored 85 against Himachal Pradesh a few days ago, used his feet to perfection hitting 11 boundaries and two sixes.

Malewar, on the other hand, studiously watched his senior pro Nair bat from the other end and took a leaf out of the former Karnataka player’s book to score runs with ease.

Malewar’s innings needs more praise as he looked patient and waited for the ball to come on to the bat. He did not play dead bat but found enough gaps in the field to score runs through boundaries, 11 in total so far. He was not afraid of stepping out and took aerial route, one of which cleared the ropes.

While this was Nair's second successive half century, Malewar has scored his fourth successive fifty this season and both would be aiming to reach the three figure-mark on the morrow.

Nair and Malewar were harsh on Gujarat seamers and spinners. If captain Chintan Gaja was hit for straight boundaries by Nair, Malwar smashed a six and a four off spinner Vishal Jayswal who was inconsistent with his line and length.

Malewar, when on 40, survived a caught behind call when he nicked one to keeper Patel but spinner Vishal Jayswal was caught overstepping by the third umpire.

Vidarbha started their innings with a positive intent with Taide and Shorey hitting the ball to its merit. They kept themselves quiet till lunch picking 23 runs from nine overs.

However, immediately after lunch, Shorey freed his arms and hit Gaja for a couple of boundaries, first a straighter one and then a beautiful square cut. He targeted the bowler and hit two more boundaries an over later.

Taide gave him company and rotated the strike before Shorey’s innings was cut short by pacer Arzan Nagwaswala who bowled a probing line. Trying to work out in the gap, Shorey edged one towards keeper Het Patel as the first wicket partnership of 44 runs came to an end.

Three overs later, Taide was trapped in front by pacer Tejas Patel for 13. It looked a controversial decision as the batter claimed that the ball had hit his thigh pads.

Earlier, resuming at their overnight score of 281-6, Gujarat were all out for 343. Gujarat captain Gaja remained unbeaten on 86 as wickets fell from the other end. Only one wicket was claimed by spinner Harsh Dubey while the remaining nine went to pacers with Praful Hinge, Aditya Thakare and Nachiket Bhute taking three each.

Jayswal rescues Gujarat with maiden First-Class century

By Paritosh Pramanik

A maiden century from Vishal Jayswal, playing his only second First-Class match, helped Gujarat seize the initiative on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium on Wednesday.

At stumps, Gujarat were 281-6 in 86 overs with Jayswal batting on 110 and captain Chintan Gaja giving him company on 43. Jayswal played aggressively to score his century after Vidarbha pacers had reduced Gujarat to 98-5 and then 150 for 6 in 50 overs. 

The left-handed Jayswal bailed out his side from a precarious position with two crucial partnerships. He first put up 52 runs for the sixth wicket with opener Priyank Panchal, who too hit an excellent 88, and then added undefeated  131 runs with captain Chintan Gaja (43*) to take the Day One honours.

Vidarbha’s decision to bowl first on the hard deck after captain Akshay Wadkar won fifth toss on the trot, was justified to some extent as pacers bowled brilliantly in the opening session taking three wickets for 85 runs.

Praful Hinge was the most successful bowler of the day with three scapls while Nachiket Bhute took two and Aditya Thakare one.

There was hardly any assistance from the pitch for the spinners and all the six wickets that fell on the day went to pacers.

Jayswal, who battled cramps,  targetted spinners Dubey and Wakhare. Gujarat batters scored 130 runs from their combined 

36 overs.

Panchal took advantage of two dropped catches, one by Yash Rathod and then by Wadkar in the morning, as he resurrected Gujarat’s innings with a fine half century.

Jayswal’s arrival in the middle changed the complexion of the game with the left-handed batter mixing caution with aggression and asserting the bowlers. He did not let Vidarbha bowlers dominate and had special treatment for the spinners. 

Post tea session, runs started flowing from the blades of captain Gaja and Jayswal. The 26-year-old Jayswal had all shots in his armoury as he used his feet well against fast bowlers and punched the spinners.

Gaja gave Jayswal company but did not sit back at the other end. He also targeted the spinners hitting them for a couple of boundaries. Seamer Praful Hinge gave Vidarbha early breakthrough taking the wicket of in-form Aarya Desai (0) in the third over of the day. New-man Manan Hingrajia was beaten by pace from an Aditya Thakare delivery in the eighth over and was sent back for one.

Fast bowlers, who were overshadowed by the spinners in last four matches, generated enough pace to take six wickets as Vidarbha reduced Gujarat at 85-3. Bhute, too, bowled brilliantly using bouncers but Jayswal had other plans. 

On new Jamtha turf Toppers Vidarbha take on Gujarat

By Paritosh Pramanik

IT WILL be the old venue but new turf for table toppers Vidarbha when they take on Gujarat in the fifth round match of Ranji Trophy at VCA Jamtha Stadium in the outskirts of the city from Wednesday.

Vidarbha have played many a match at this venue but the soil has been changed and pitches have been relaid a few months back. With no practice matches on the 22-yard strip, it will be like a bit of ‘alien condition’ when Vidarbha step into the field on the morrow. The pitches are mixture of red and black soil from Mumbai and Madhya Pradesh, it has been learnt.

“It looks like a hard turf and the soil is mixture of red and black. We will see the track again on the morrow and then only will decide our XI. The pitch which will be used for the match has red soil,” said Vidarbha coach Usman Ghani while talking with ‘The Hitavada.’

Vidarbha is the only unbeaten team in the competition this season and is dominating Group B with 25 points in their bag.

Their mammoth innings and 88 runs win over Himachal Pradesh has shot up the confidence level of not only the bowlers, who have taken 20 wickets in all the matches but also the batters who are among runs.

Dhruv Shorey and Yash Rathod both scored a century each in the last match and would love to carry that form further.

Atharva Taide, who has a century under his belt, would hope to score some big runs ahead of Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 and get noticed for the IPL Auction next month. Same will be the case with Karun Nair who was the top scorer for Vidarbha last season.

Bespectacled Rathod with three successive hundreds under his belt is in roseate of form and would be a dangerous batter for Gujarat who have won three and drew their last match against Pondicherry (first innings lead).

They have 18 points against their name and will face a stiff challenge from Vidarbha bowlers, specially Harsh Dubey who is the top wicket-taker of the tournament till date.

Manan Hingrajia, captain Chintan Gaja, Priyank Panchal, Aarya Desai will have to be at their best to tackle Vidarbha bowlers.

With Umesh Yadav still recovering, Aditya Thakare has done a fine job in pace bowlers’ department along with Praful Hinge and Nachiket Bhute.

They have given Vidarbha timely breakthroughs in the previous matches and would love to do so at Jamtha as well.

With this being the last round before Mushtaq Ali break, Vidarbha would aim to register another outright win and make it to the quarters.

Rathod believes in scoring runs in tons

By Paritosh Pramanik

LAST season’s Duleep Trophy ‘snub due to lack of big runs’ has rankled him and Vidarbha mainstay Yash Rathod is determined to correct that ‘poor score’ this season.

With three successive centuries under his belt from four games this Ranji season, Rathod has made it a point to score runs in tons and attract selectors’ attention. Rathod scored 125 in Vidarbha’s innings and 88 runs win over Himachal Pradesh last Saturday. The huge century helped Vidarbha post mammoth 575 in their first innings as record huge victory. Rathod became only the second batter in the history of Vidarbha cricket to score three back-to-back centuries after former captain and India opener Faiz Fazal did so in 2017-2018 season.

Rathod has been the middle-order mainstay for Vidarbha for a few years now and the left-handed batter wants to showcase his talent at the bigger stage, starting with Duleep Trophy.

“Last year, I think I missed the Duleep Trophy berth as I did not score centuries, eventhough I scored good runs,” said Rathod after Vidarbha’s win over Himachal.

Last Ranji season, he had hammered 491 runs in 10 innings at an average of 49 and at a strike rate of 54.38. This included a century and three half centuries. Fast forward to this season, the bespectacled southpaw has already clobbered 442 runs from seven innings. This despite starting the season with a duck and five runs in Vidarbha’s first match against Andhra in Nagpur. 

With three centuries and a fifty, his average at present is an impressive 63.14 and has faced 642 deliveries.

The most attractive part of his innings is that Rathod has hit just four sixes as compared to 35 boundaries so far.

The left-hander believes in building innings and never goes for big hits. Last year he has slammed only two sixes and 61 boundaries.

When asked about his plans, Rathod said he wanted to play to the ground as much as possible.

“I love playing around the ground. That’s my strength. Since my childhood days and club cricket, I believed in finding gaps and hitting through the ground. I love to build innings at a decent pace without halting the progress of the team’s score,” Rathod explained.

A big fan of India coach Gautam Gambhir, Rathod wants to continue in same way so that Vidarbha finish at the top this season.

Rathod and captain Akshay Wadkar have a good co-ordination in the middle as the two have scored two century stands in Ranji. They have scored 158 against Madhya Pradesh last season, and this year, the two have amassed 107 against Himachal Pradesh.

“I am a big fan of GG’s (Gautam Gambhir) batting style. He is also a left-hander and loves playing spin. I too love playing spinners and collect runs from the tweakers,” he concluded.

A lot would depend on Rathod’s roseate form if Vidarbha would go one step further this season.

Dubey demolishes HP with ‘secret weapon’

Takes 11 wickets in match; Vidarbha win by innings and 88 runs, earn bonus point to consolidate position at top

By Paritosh Pramanik

YOUNG left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey demolished Himachal Pradesh with his second five-wicket haul of the match as Vidarbha crushed the visitors by an innings and 88 runs in their Group B Ranji Trophy match at VCA Civil Lines ground on Saturday.

Resuming at the overnight score of 51-2, Himachal Pradesh were all out for 180 in their second essay after Vidarbha posted 575 in the first innings.

The fourth win on the trot, which fetched Vidarbha a bonus point, helped them consolidate their position at the top of Group B with 25 points, followed by Gujarat, who drew their match against Pondicherry, at second spot with 18 in their bag. 

Two-time Ranji champions and last year’s runners-up Vidarbha will next play Gujarat at VCA Jamtha from November 13.

The 22-year-old Dubey, who took a match haul of 11-107, used his ‘secret weapon’ brilliantly against Himachal Pradesh as the Rishi Dhawan-led side, failed to read his turners and fell like nine pins. “Those are the secret deliveries which I bowled to Himachal batters and fetched wickets. I will not reveal them otherwise everybody will take note of it,” said Dubey when asked about his deliveries in the second innings where he took six out of 10 wickets.

“I kept on changing the pace of deliveries in the air and foxed them,” added Dubey who now sits at the top of the bowling chart with 34 dismissals from eight innings.

Dubey now boasts an impressive 62 First-Class wickets in 12 matches.

Himachal’s downfall started with the wicket of night-watchman Mayank Dagar who was brilliantly caught at slips by Athrava Taide off Praful Hinge.

Dubey then sent back another overnight batter Ankit Kalsi trapping him in front with a straighter one.

Wickets continued to fall as Dubey spun his web around Himachal batters who looked clueless while dealing with the spinner’s variations. Dhawan was the last recognised batter and Dubey got him lbw at the stroke of lunch as they crumbled to 114-7.

“Out of the 11 scalps I really enjoyed taking the wicket of opener Prashant Chopra in both the innings. Those (deliveries) were the best,” said Dubey as he was named player of the match.

The formalities were completed 46 minutes after lunch.

“I wanted to bowl from the far end but captain (Akshay Wadkar) told me the seamers were getting help from that end. Hence I bowled from the pavilion end today,” said Dubey who took four out of his six wickets from dressing room end.

Captain Akshay Wadkar was happy with the resounding win with bonus point and said the team is aiming to finish at the top. “We want to finish at the top of table which would help us play all our knock-out matches at home. I am happy with the team is performing and all are contributing,” he concluded.

Rathod smashes 3rd successive ton

 

Vidarbha need eight wickets for outright victory over Himachal

By Paritosh Pramanik

YOU can’t be benevolent against a batter of Yash Rathod’s stature. The moment you give him space and chance, the southpaw grabs the opportunity and overpowers you.

Same happened on Friday when butter-fingered Himachal Pradesh dropped Rathod twice and paid heavily for their follies.

Getting reprieves, first when on 22 at short-leg and then on 57 by wicketkeeper, Rathod went on to hit his third successive century of the season, becoming only the second batter to do so after former captain Faiz Fazal, for Vidarbha.

Rathod swept aside the bad memories of Andhra game and slammed 128 against Himachal Pradesh on the third day of Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy match as they posted a huge 575 at VCA, Civil Lines ground on Friday.

Rathod’s century, apart from captain Akshay Wadkar’s 67, birthday-boy Aditya Thakare’s rearguard heroics (36), and Akshay Wakhare’s 25 gave Vidarbha a huge 268 runs first innings lead after Himachal had posted 307.

At stumps, Himachal were 51 for two, still trailing by 217 runs.

An outright win is in Vidarbha’s sight as they need only eight more wickets on a fourth-day track which will definitely help the spinners.

Starting the day at the overnight score of 283-2, the hosts lost centurion Dhruv Shorey (125) and Karun Nair (85) early but Rathod and Wadkar added 107 runs for the fifth wicket as Vidarbha took complete control of the game. There was a bit of trouble for the hosts when Divesh Sharma took three wickets in an over immediately after the lunch break to tilt the momentum in Himachal’s favour. From 423 for five, Vidarbha crumbled to 423 for seven. His first scalp was captain Wadkar caught at second slip by Prashant Chopra. Harsh Dubey chopped one back into his stumps on the third delivery of the over and then Nachiket Bhute was caught by keeper Shubham Arora giving Sharma three wickets. But Rathod and Thakare did the rebuilding job and added 89 run for the eighth wicket to frustrate Himachal.

Rathod, who had scored a 135 and 56 against Uttarakhand in the last match, continued his purple patch with another brilliant knock. He completed his well-deserved century hitting a boundary towards long on fence. The celebration was animated. With his arms fully stretched, 24-year-old Rathod ran towards pavilion and acknowledged the team and supporters sitting in the opposite side stands.

Rathod’s knock had seven boundaries and three sixes two of which were pulled over fine leg fence off Divesh Sharma on successive deliveries. He and Wakhare added another 57 runs for the ninth wicket as the lead continued to swell.

His entertaining innings came to an end after tea when he nicked a Mukul Negi’s straight delivery to wicketkeeper Arora. 

During the match, Wakhare also completed 1000 runs in First-Class cricket.

Shorey cracks unbeaton ton

Dubey’s fifer, Fifties from Malewar, Nair put Vid in strong position against HP

n By Paritosh Pramanik

DHRUV Shorey slammed a fine unbeaten century after Harsh Dubey took his second five-wicket haul as Vidarbha replied strongly to Himachal Pradesh’s first innings total of 307 on the second day of their Ranji Trophy match at VCA Civil Lines ground on Thursday.

At stumps, Vidarbha were 283 for two, still trailing by 24 runs with Shorey (108) and Karun Nair (76) holding the fort firmly.

Shorey, playing his second match of the season after missing out on the opener against Andhra, completed a well-deserved century in 180 balls. The 32-year-old Delhi boy acknowledged towards the pavilion and then to the sparse crowd which cheered him throughout the day. Shorey has so far hit six boundaries and has two crucial partnerships. He first added 91 runs for the second wicket with Danish Malewar (59) , who scored his third half century of the season. The right-hander later partnered Nair and the two are unseparated and have added 142 runs for the third wicket. With eight wickets in hand, Vidarbha have an opportunity to take a big first innings lead and put Himachal Pradesh under the pump.

“It’s always good to be among runs. I am determined to score runs in every match, not only in this game. Happy that I scored a hundred for the team and that too while chasing,” said Shorey after the day’s play.

“We want to bat and score as big as we can. Then we will plan out our strategy for the later part of the match,” he said about the team’s plan ahead.

Shorey and Malewar had a crucial partnership of 91 runs for the second wicket which laid the strong platform.

“We only wanted to bat normally and play each ball on its merit. We talked on how to play the deliveries as this pitch always has something for the bowlers, so we needed to bat tight,” said Shorey on conversation with Malewar during their innings building partnership.

Malewar was batting aggressively and had hit three successive boundaries off Vaibhav Arora.

In the process he also reached his half century but lost his temper and played a rash shot on the last delivery of that over to give a diving catch to Akasht Vasisht at mid-wicket region.

“It happens sometime. But he (Malewar) batted really well and that partnership was very crucial at that time. Runs also came quick for us with him around,” Shorey justified Malewar’s style of play. Vidarbha’s chase started on a positive note with Taide and Shorey adding 50 for the opening wicket in 12 overs.

But two deliveries post lunch, Taide was trapped in front to off-spinner Mukul Negi. Stretching forward, Taide did not offer a shot and umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger.

Malewar and Shorey then took the team forward before the former lost his cool. His departure brought in experienced Nair who toyed with Himachal bowlers to take Vidarbha to a position of strength.

In the morning, Resuming at overnight score of 263-6, Himachal Pradesh managed to add 44 runs more to their total as Dubey, who had taken three on the opening day, took two more to complete his fifer. Aditya Thakare and Praful Hinge took the other two wickets. 

Dhawan, Negi put Himachal in control

 

By Paritosh Pramanik

Spinners Harsh Dubey and Akshay Wakhare gave important breakthroughs to Vidarbha but Himachal Pradesh took the honours on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Group B match at VCA Civil Lines ground on Wednesday.

At stumps, Himachal Pradesh were 263 for six with captain Rishi Dhawan (47) and vice-vaptain Mukul Negi (38) at the crease. They have added unbeaten 72 runs for the seventh wicket.

Vidarbha, undefeated in the tournament so far, got over Himachal immediately with a wicket on the second ball of the day but the visitors came back into the game with small but crucial partnerships in their innings.

Vidarbha pacer Praful Hinge’s second delivery of the morning moved slightly forcing Himachal opener Shubham Arora to edge one to Athrava Taide at second slip.

With partnership building for the second wicket, veteran spinner Wakhare came into the act and rattled the stumps of Ankit Kalsi (27) in the 15th over when the batter, along with Prashant Chopra (31), had added 36 runs. It was the turn of another spinner Dubey who broke the third wicket stand between Chopra and Ekant Sen (44). They had put 54 runs when Dubey bowled Chopra as Himachal took lunch at 97 for three wickets.

Post break, Vidarbha were forced to work hard for a while with Sen and Amit Kumar picking runs in boundaries.  

However, Dubey once again broke the partnership. Sen tried a forward-defence shot but was beaten by the turn and Vidarbha captain-wicketkeeper Akshay Wadkar clipped the bails in no time to send the batter back.

Himachal captain Rishi Dhawan, coming into the match on the back of a huge century against Andhra, increased the pace of the game with a flurry of boundaries as visitors crossed the 200-run mark after tea break.

Akash Vashisht and Dhawan were looking dangerous and had added 35 runs when the former was sent back by Wakhare who’s  straight delivery kept a bit low to rattle into the stumps.

However,  Dhawan continued his imperious form and hit sweetly-timed boundaries, seven in total. Some were pulled through the mid-wicket area and a few were guided beautifully through covers.

Vidarbha took the second new ball in the 83rd over and Dhawan punched one for a cover drive boundary. Later, he gently played a cut shot off Hinge for a third man boundary as he raced towards his half century. 

Vidarbha spinners Wakhare (18-5-42-2) and Dubey (28-5-62-3) bowled 46 overs between them and have shared five wickets on the opening day.

VCA felicitates Wakhare

VIDARBHA Cricket Association (VCA) felicitated veteran spinner Akshay Wakhare for his outstanding contribution. 

The 39-year-old, who made his First-Class debut in 2006 vs Kerala completed a century of FC matches against Uttarakhand.  

Wakhare has played 86 Ranji Trophy matches apart from 11 Duleep Trophy and two Irani Cup ties.

Wakhare was presented a shawl and a silver salver by VCA President Justice Vinay M Deshpande (former Judge of the Bombay High Court) in the presence of the two teams, umpires and Match Referee Balmik Buch.

VCA Honorary Vice-President, Dr Avinash Deshmuk, Secretary Sanjay Badkas, Joint Secretary Chandrakasnt Manke and CADC Chairman Prashant Vaidya were also present during the function.

Vidarbha ‘start Ranji Trophy’ today

By Paritosh Pramanik

THEY have three out of three victories in their bag and are sitting at the top of Group B with 18 points, but unbeaten Vidarbha’s ‘real’ Ranji Trophy ‘starts’ against Himachal Pradesh at Vidarbha Cricket Association’s Civil Lines Stadium from Wednesday.

The three teams they have defeated were relatively easy who are now lingering at the bottom of the table with Uttarakhand (6 points), Pondicherry (1) and Andhra (0). However, the next ‘Big Four’ will pose real threat to Vidarbha’s progress in coming days. First up is Himachal Pradesh who are at the third position with two wins and a loss. They will next meet second placed Gujarat (Nov 13-16) at VCA Jamtha Stadium before a huge 70-day Ranji break.

With BCCI organising white ball tournaments during this period, Vidarbha will have to adjust immediately as they will end their Ranji league phase with an away match against Rajasthan (4th in Group B, Jan 23 at Jaipur) and Hyderabad (5th, Jan 30 at Nagpur).

The immediate target is Himachal for Akshay Wadkar-led side and the team is confident of doing well on their home turf.

“Our tournament starts now. We have defeated the team which are at the bottom of the table. But from here on all the four sides are tough and we will have to play with confidence. Any team which wins from here will qualify for the knock-outs,” Wadkar told ‘The Hitavada’ on the eve of their fourth match of the season, at VCA Civil Lines ground.

A fresh pitch would be used for the match and captain Wadkar believes that it would help the seamers more initially. Vidarbha openers will have give a good start as their partnership will lay the foundation for other batters.

“I think we should post around 300 runs in the first innings on this wicket. Anything less than that won’t help our cause,” stated Wadkar.

Vidarbha openers Athrava Taide and Dhruv Shorey have a quite start to the tournament.

While Taide has only one century against his name (118 against Andhra), Shorey who missed the opening encounter has scored 6, 1, 35, 59 in two matches. Vidarbha started with Aman Mokhade in the first match and he hit a half century (53) in the second innings against Andhra after a duck in the firs innings.

In the next two games, Mokhade, who came one-down could not score big (1, 11, 14, 6) and will have to pull up his socks against quality side like Himachal.

Vidarbha will get the services of Karun Nair who was rested in the previous match due to finger injury. The middle order batter will be eager to continue his Maharaja Trophy form where he was the highest scorer.

“They (Karun Nair and Dhruv Shorey) are great batters. However, sometimes you get a chance to score runs fast and sometimes you don’t. I am sure both will come good in the coming matches,” Wadkar said of his batters.

Wadkar hinted that seamers will play a big role against Himachal and Aditya Thakare will be the go-to man for the skipper. Thakare has given important breakthroughs in previous matches and on match eve, he was able to beat the batters and was managing to move the ball sharply in the nets. With Umesh Yadav still recovering from his injury, Thakare will have to shoulder the burden along withPraful Hinge or Nachiket Bhute.

“Umesh is still not fully fit and won’t be playing this match. But I am confident of our bowlers who have taken 20 wickets in past three matches,” Wadkar pointed out.

“Spinner Harsh Dubey is a great learner. He adapts to the conditions very fast. Whatever opportunities he got, he has delivered. I am sure he would get ample matches this year which would be beneficial for us,” Wadkar said while praising the tweaker who took 51 wickets from 11 games so far.

Vidarbha have retained the same side for Himachal game.

As for Himachal, they would rely on experienced Rishi Dhawan who has hit a huge 195 against Andhra. Other batters Ankit Kalsi, Mukul Negi, Akash Vasisht, to name a few, all have scored runs in the previous games. With Himachal scoring over 400 runs in earlier matches shows their strong batting line-up. Vidarbha bowlers will have to be at their brutal best against this quality batting side if they want to win their ‘opening’ match.

Vid regroup after Diwali break

 

Hosts to take on Himachal from Wednesday; Karun Nair recovers from finger injury

By Paritosh Pramanik

Nov 5, 2024

UNBEATEN so far in this season’s Ranji Trophy, Vidarbha cricketers regrouped after a short Diwali break at Vidarbha Cricket Association’s Civil Lines ground on Monday afternoon for their next assignment against Himachal Pradesh.

The match begins Wednesday and Vidarbha wasted no time to get back to the field for their next battle to stay at the top.

It was a much-needed break after last year’s second best side Vidarbha triumphed in three back-to-back matches against Andhra at home, and in two away games against Pondicherry and Uttarakhand.

In coach Usman Ghani’s own words, “the boys needed a break after playing some excellent cricket for the past three weeks. They were at their brutal best and were fully committed. The opponents were too tough and the boys gave their 100 per cent in all three matches. The Diwali break came at the right time and now all the players are fresh for the next game.”

Both the teams did their nets on Monday afternoon, with Himachal Pradesh having an extended session.

“We had a good session today. All the players were present. Karun Nair is fully fit now and is ready for the next game. He had a finger injury prior to the last game against Uttarakhand and was rested as a precaution,” Ghani after Vidarbha’s nets in the evening.

Meanwhile, Umesh Yadav is recuperating well from his heel injury and is under rehabilitation. His inclusion in the side will depend on doctor’s fitness certificate.

On Monday afternoon, all players were seen engrossed in the nets session. Captain Akshay Wadkar took time to have a look at the pitch which would be used for the Himachal game. Opener Atharva Taide practised some pull shots while last match’s centurion Yash Rathod fine-tuned his slip catching skills even as other players called it a day.

NDFA rejects Vora’s resignation

YMFC agree to pay 30k fine

Sports Reporter

BETTER senses prevailed as the Executive Committee of Nagpur District Football Association’s (NDFA) rejected the resignation letter of President Haresh Vora who had put in his papers to be relieved from the post with immediate effect on Saturday.

The NDFA, in its emergent meeting held under the presidentship of Atmaram Pandey on Sunday, rejected Vora’s resignation.

Bone of contention was the Rs 50,000 imposed on Young Muslim Football Club (YMFC) by the NDFA for abusing NDFA referee during last month’s Dr Nitin Raut Football Tournament.

Vora had told ‘The Hitavada’ on Saturday that he enjoys good rapport with both YMFC President Kamil Ansari and NDFA office bearers. “I have good relations with Kamil bhai and also with my executive committee members. But safety of referees is paramount. When I suggest reduction in fine, many executive committee members opposed it. But later they accepted to Rs 30,000 as fine. But now, YMFC President wants it to be reduced to Rs 11,000 which I and NDFA are against. Everybody wants my support and nobody wants to support my decision. Hence I have decided to resign,” Vora had said.

In the Sunday meeting, Ansari agreed to pay the reduced fine of Rs 30,000 (from the original proposed fine of Rs 50,000). And, in fact, he paid first instalment of Rs 10,000 on Sunday itself. He asked for two months time to pay the remaining fine amount to which the NDFA committee members agreed, informs Iqbal Kashmiri, Secretary, NDFA. On Vora’s resignation, Ansari said that if the committee accepts his papers, then he would ensure that YMFC, multiple times former champions of the NDFA Elite League, would also pull out of the tournament. 

Committee members finally decided not to accept Vora’s resignation and Kashmiri forwarded the decision to Pandey in a report.

Vora resigns as NDFA Prez

 Financial penalty on YMFC reason for resignation; NDFA’s emergency meet today

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR District Football Association’s (NDFA) long serving President Haresh Vora has tendered his resignation from his post with immediate effect. In a late-night development, Vora, who has been at the helm of the association since 2015, submitted his resignation to Secretary Iqbal Kashmiri on Saturday.

According to reliable sources, 72-year-old Vora was under tremendous pressure since past few months.

The resignation was a fall-out of the tussle between NDFA and Young Muslim Football Club (YMFC) regarding fine of Rs 50,000 imposed on the club for abusing NDFA referee during last month’s Dr Nitin Raut Football Tournament.

Though the fine amount was reduced from Rs 50k to Rs 30,000, some of the members were against this decision, according to sources who attended the meeting.

Also, YMFC President Kamil Ansari, who is also the Vice-President of NDFA, showed his inability to pay Rs 30,000.

“I don’t want to be part of this mess. I have been used as a soft target. I have good relations with Kamilbhai and also with my executive committee members. But safety of referees is paramount. When I suggest reduction in fine, many executive committee members opposed it. But later they accepted to Rs 30,000 as fine. But now, YMFC President wants it to be reduced to Rs 11,000 which I and NDFA are against. Everybody wants my support and nobody wants to support my decision. Hence I have decided to resign,” Vora said while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ on Saturday.

“Rs 50,000 is a huge amount. Running a club in Nagpur is not an easy ask (financially). Still, we have accepted our mistake but I can pay only Rs 11,000,” stated Ansari.

“I am in the association for the past 40 years and also have a good relation with Vora. He is the man behind the development of football in the city. We have good personal relations and that’s why I have decided to pay the fine (Rs 11,000) from my own pocket,” stated Ansari.

However, the committee members have decided not to reduce the fine further after reducing it once.

With no positive solution and having cordial relations with Ansari, Vora decided to resign from his post.

Kashmiri said that clubs are taking us (association) for granted.

“Club’s can’t dictate the association. They can’t request how much fine they want to pay. They have accepted their mistake and now they want further concession. This is not acceptable,” said Kashmiri.

In his undated resignation letter, which is in possession of ‘The Hitavada’, Vora blamed YMFC for his resignation and supported NDFA members. 

“This attitude of YMFC and their officials is not in the interest of the association. I am sending my resignation as our association’s dignity should not be tarnished,” read Vora’s letter.

Meanwhile, NDFA has called an emergent meeting of its office bearers to find out a solution for this clamour.

“We (executive committee) will be meeting on Sunday evening and will decide whether to accept the resignation and whether to suspend YMFC from participating in the Elite Division League,” said Kashmiri.

YMFC has won Elite Division titles in 2007, 2008, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2023.