Vidarbha continued to remain in control of their red-ball match against the Rajat Patidar-led Rest of India in the Irani Cup. The reigning Ranji Trophy champions have so far been the better side in both the batting and boiwling departments and will be looking to continue their rhythm for the rest of the match.
Day 3 began with the Rest of India at 142/5, still trailing 200 runs behind Vidarbha who had posted a first-inning total of 342. Patidar was on the crease alongside Manav Suthar, however the two failed to form a big partnership as the latter departed before the side could even score their first run of the day. Suthar was dismissed by Aditya Thakare for a single run as Rest of India had a poor start to the day.
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Patidar, who ended the second day batting on 42, soon went on to reach his half-century but his side was still far away from taking the lead in the match. Wickets started to tumble for the team soon after as Saransh Jain's stumps got rattled by Yash Thakur before Akash Deep ended up losing his wicket for 14 two overs later. Things went from bad to worse for Rest of India as Patidar departed for 66 just three deliveries later as Harsh Dubey got his second scalp of the innings.
Rest of India got bundled out for a low total
Rest of India would lose their final wicket on 214 as Gurnoor Brar got dismissed by Thakur for 13 runs. This saw Vidarbha take a massive 128-run lead into their second innings. The duo of Atharva Taide and Aman Mokhade once again started the innings for Vidarbha. Both of them were looking in good touch, but Suthar soon managed to get the big wicket of Taide, who had scored a brilliant century in the previous innings. The opening partnership was broken for 42 runs as Vidarbha lost a big wicket.
Vidarbha firmly in-charge
Mokhade also wouldn't manage to go too far either and was dismissed by Brar for 37 runs, restricting Vidarbha to 64/2. The duo of Dhruv Shorey and Danish Malewar took the side's innings forward and were doing pretty well until bad light stopped play after the first over of the third session. Eventually, the day was abandoned due to the problem with the flashlights and now the action will resume on Day 4. Vidarbha have taken a massive 224-run lead heading into the second-last day and they look set to post a formidable target for Rest of India.