Vidarbha bowlers Darshan Nalkande and Parth Rekhade shared six wickets between them and later openers Karun Nair and Atharva Taide stitched 102 runs for the opening wicket at they crushed Pondicherry by seven wickets in their Group D league match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy in Vizianagaram on Wednesday. After dismissing Pondicherry for 136 in 19.4 overs, thanks to some fine bowling by Nalkande (3-28) and Parth Rekhade (3-23), Vidarbha batters went out with all guns blazing and achieved the target in just 12.3 overs. The resounding win also boosted Vidarbha’s net run-rate (1.805). Vidarbha have eight points from three matches.

 

Openers Karun Nair (65, 32 balls, 6x4, 5x6) and Atharva Taide (49*, 35 balls, 6x4, 1x6) added 102 runs for the first wicket in 10 overs to virtually seal the deal. Skipper Jitesh Sharma showed his power hitting with a five-ball 20 which had two fours and as many sixes to ensure easy victory. BRIEF SCORES: Pondicherry: 136 in 19.4 overs (Arun Karthik 30, Ankit Sharma 40; Darshan Nalkande 3-28, Parth Rekhade 3-23). Vidarbha: 139-3 in 12.3 overs (Atharv Taide 49 NO, Karun Nair 65, Jitesh Sharma 20). Result: Vidarbha won by seven wickets.