Two tons, three points

 After opener Aman Mokhade, Yash Rathod hits an unbeaten century as Vidarbha earn 3 points against Jharkhand

By Paritosh Pramanik

Oct 29, 2025

VIDARBHA opener Aman Mokhade (176) again missed a double century while left-handed middle-order mainstay Yash Rathod (101*) struck his career’s eighth hundred as Vidarbha took three points on the basis of first innings lead against Jharkhand here at VCA Jamtha Stadium on Tuesday.

The draw lifted Vidarbha to top of Group A with 10 points while Jharkhand took second spot with eight points.

Vidarbha next play Tamil Nadu at Coimbatore from November One.

Asked to bat first, Jharkhand posted 332 all out with Vidarbha’s Nachiket Bhute taking four wickets and Praful Hinge three.

Vidarbha, resuming the final day at 239 for two, scored 492 for five with Rathod hitting an unbeaten century and Ravikumar Samarth (63) and Akshay Karnewar (57*) cracking fine half centuries.

Vidarbha declared their innings with a lead of 160 runs, immediately after Rathod completed his ton, who hit Jharkhand captain Ishan Kishan for a boundary through covers. 

The teams shook hands and the match was called off.

Earlier, Vidarbha started well with overnight batters Mokhade and Samarth stretching their partnership further. Both picked singles and doubles and hit occasional boundaries in between to inch closer to Jharkhand’s 332. Mokhade looked determined to complete his maiden double century. He was in total control as he drove Vikas Kumar for a boundary through covers early in the morning. He also pushed the ball between slips to pick a double the next over.

But again, like in the first game, the talented batter missed a chance to score a double ton. He missed the line completely to see his furniture disturbed off Rishav Raj who bowled a straighter one. Mokhade stretched for a forward defence but failed to cover his stumps as he returned to the pavilion dejected.

During his 445-minute stay in the middle, Mokhade’s 176 runs came from 312 balls laced with 14 boundaries and two sixes. Along with Ravikumar Samarth, the two added 71 runs for the third wicket.

Samarth played his shots along the ground and with left-hander Rathod, the two helped Vidarbha take the lead after lunch.

Karnataka-born Samarth duly completed his 36th First Class half century, first for Vidarbha, by picking up a double off Rishav Raj. 

The next ball, he drove the same bowler for a boundary. But he, too, could not keep his calm and stepped out to hit Anukul Roy out of the park only to be stumped by Kumar Kushagra.

Meanwhile, Rathod, last season’s highest runs scorer, completed his 11th First Class half century with a single of Rishav as Vidarbha continued to increase their lead. He and Akshay Karnewar then remained unseparated putting up 120 runs for fourth wicket. 

Rathod’s unbeaten knock came from 145 deliveries and had nine boundaries.

Yadav, Bhoyar in team for TN game

PACER Lalit Yadav and all-rounder Satyam Bhoyar made it to the Vidarbha Ranji Trophy squad for their third round match against Tamil Nadu.

THE selectors have included Yadav in place of injured Aditya Thakare and added Bhoyar to the for the Elite Group ‘A’ match to be played in Coimbatore from November 1 to 4.

Defending champions Vidarbha, led by Akshay Wadkar, are topping Group A with 10 points from two games.

THE SQUAD: Akshay Wadkar (Captain & WK), Atharva Taide, Yash Rathod (Vice-Captain), Aman Mokhade, Parth Rekhade, Nachiket Bhute, Darshan Nalkande, Praful Hinge, Akshay Karnewar, Yash Kadam, Shubham Kapse, Shivam Deshmukh (WK), Ganesh Bhosle, Satyam Bhoyar, Lalit Yadav, Dhruv Shorey, R Samarth.

SUPPORT STAFF: Coach: Usman Ghani; Asst Coach: Dharmender Ahlawat; S&C Coach: Yuvraj Singh Dasondhi; Physio: Dr Nitin Khurana; Video Analyst: Ajeenkya Sawale; Masseur: Bhushan Zhade; Sidearm ball thrower: Yash Thorat; Manager: Jitendra Darbhe.