Partnerships, Darshan’s spell were turning points: Wadkar

 

 

 

VIDARBHA captain Akshay Wadkar was a relieved man after the defending Ranji Trophy champions registered 144 runs win over Baroda on Wednesday at VCA Jamtha Stadium. Vidarbha, after being bundled out for a paltry 169, regrouped well to push Baroda to the wall, eventually winning the match handsomely to go at the top of Group A with 25 points. Wadkar attributed the win to two partnerships and excellent bowling from Darshan Nalkande. “The two partnerships, first between Atharva Taide and Dhruv Shorey (97 runs for the second wicket) and then between Yash Rathod and Ravikumar Samarth (128 runs for the fourth wicket) turned the tide in our favour. Then the four-wicket burst on the third evening from Darshan Nalkande helped us win the match,” said Wadkar.

 

On a totally different performance in the second innings, Wadkar said they wanted to rectify their first innings’ mistakes and post a good target. “We wanted to rectify our first innings mistakes and we did the same in the remaining part of the game and got favourable result,” he said. On team’s approach to second innings, Wadkar said “the pitch was a bit difficult for batting in the second innings but we wanted to give a good target as the track was deteriorating. We wanted to set a target of over 200 runs which we thought would be difficult to chase.” Wadkar lauded the way Nalkande bowled in the second innings after going wicketless in the first essay.

 

“Darshan’s strength is bowling stump to stump in the second innings and he did the same. He has the ability to move the ball both ways. The rough was created and hence he bowled from that end (city end). He delivered what exactly we wanted from him. His four-wicket burst on the third evening was the turning point of the match. It was not easy to play in the fourth innings and Darshan bowled brilliantly hitting the deck hard,” said the Vidarbha captain. With a long break to the Ranji season, Wadkar said they would come back more strongly when their premier players are back in contention. “We have ended this first phase on a positive note and will come back in the same vein when the tournament restarts. We will be getting back some of our best players in Harsh Dubey, Yash Thakur (both playing India A), Danish Malewar, Aditya Thakare (recovering from injuries). “The team would be packed and the competition among players would be healthy. This side, without some top players, performed well and gave us the results. So, I think the competition will be healthy in future,” concluded Wadkar.