IN-FORM Vidarbha opener Aman Mokhade slammed an unbeaten daddy hundred to carry his bat through guiding the team to a commanding nine wickets win over Baroda in their Vijay Hazare Trophy match at Rajkot on Saturday. Chasing Baroda’s 293-9, built around Hardik Pandya’s belligerent knock, Vidarbha cruised home losing just one wicket with 50 balls to spare. Mokhade (150*; 121b, 17x4, 4x6), who hit his third hundred in fifth match this season, started off with a couple of crushing cover drives and never looked back. In company of fellow opener Atharva Taide (65; 53b, 7x4, 4x6), the duo took the score to 127 before the southpaw Taide gave a return catch to offie Mahesh Pithiya in 16th over. Taide made most of two lives and exhibited his range of shots hitting four sixes. Mokhade and Dhruv Shorey (65*; 76b, 6x4), who also has two tons to his credit this season, complemented each other beautifully. Mokhade braved a cramp midway in the innings and built his innings pacing it to perfection. He sent the leather 17 times to the fence and four times over it.

 

Shorey, who with his second hundred in first two games had equalled the record of five three-figure mark in a row in List A cricket, adding to his three last season, always looked in control. Earlier, Vidarbha bowlers made most of the favourable conditions to reduce Baroda to 71-5 after asking them to take first strike. But for Hardik’s (133; 92b, 8x4, 11x6) top notch cricket, the Krunal Pandya-led side would have scored much less. Hardik’s knock that contained five straight sixes (followed by a four) in a Rekhade over, took the side to what seemed to be a respectable total. But Vidarbha top order batters, who have crossed the 300-mark in five games, made mockery of it. Vidarbha vice-captain returned with a four-wicket haul including the prized scalp of Hardik.

 

Seamer Nachiket Bhute and Rekhade snared two each while Praful Hinge, who was very impressive in his opening spell, took one wicket. Skipper Harsh Dubey was the most economical of all the bowlers. Vidarbha stayed at second spot followed by Bengal, also with 16 points. With five victories from as many matches, Uttar Pradesh top the Elite League Group B table with 20 points. Vidarbha next play UP on January 6.