VIDARBHA professional Dhruv Shorey led the charge with an authoritative century to extend hosts’ dominance over Goa in the Elite Group ‘A’ Ranji Trophy match here at Jamtha Stadium on Wednesday. Shorey’s big century (168; 291b, 13x4, 1x6) was the cornerstone of Vidarbha’s huge 222- run first innings lead over Goa. Shorey played some exquisite cover drives on the third day on his way to his 16th First-Class hundred. Resuming the third day at 217-3, Vidarbha declared their innings at 442 for 8 at the stroke of tea after the fall of Shorey. In reply, Goa were 41 for one, still trailing by 181 runs. Manthan Khutkar (24) and captain Abhinav Tejrana (8) were at the crease. Goa negotiated 23 overs as Vidarbha failed to grab the opportunity barring the wicket of Suyash Prabhudesai (6) who was trapped in front by Nachiket Bhute in the fifth over of their second innings. Shorey was concentration personified as he continued from where he left on Tuesday, first building a 101 runs fourth wicket partnership with Danish Malewar (56) and then with captain Akshay Wadkar. The two added 138 runs before Wadkar retired hurt midway. The captain returned an hour later and the two again added another 12 runs to put up a total of 150 runs for the fifth wicket. Shorey hit a first-ball four off spinner Darshan Misal in the 94th over and then pushed the ball towards long-on for two runs to complete his welldeserved century. His century came from 187 balls with nine boundaries.

 

His second fifty was a bit fast as compared to the first one which came from 100 deliveries. This was 34-year-old Shorey’s fifth century for Vidarbha in his fourth season as a professional. He continued his dominant batting with authority after lunch break. The Goan bowlers looked pedestrian in front of Shorey who did not give them any chance to overpower him. Barring offie Ruthvik Naik, who completed a five-wicket haul, other Goa bowlers failed to impress much. Earlier, Wadkar completed his half century after lunch with a single towards covers. Immediately after, he pulled his muscle and walked off the field in the 118th over. The match was halted for around 20 minutes as it started drizzling in the afternoon. But as umpires ordered groundsmen to cover the pitch, the drizzle stopped and the game resumed. Shorey and Harsh Dubey (22) then tormented Goan bowlers further with the latter hitting Misal for a straight six, first of Vidarbha’s innings. Dubey and Shorey added 40 runs for the sixth wicket before the spinner was caught behind by substitute wicketkeeper Harikant Rajsekhar off Ruthvik Naik. Parth Rekhade tried to clear the long on fence but was brilliantly caught by Suyash Prabhudesai off a relay catch. Prabhudesai timed his jump to perfection and threw the ball back inside the rope. He then had to dive to complete an astounding catch. Shorey also hit a superb six over covers to take his individual score to 168. His entertaining innings came to an end when his furniture was disturbed by Misal at the stroke of tea. But by that time Vidarbha had enough runs to defend on the final day.