Taide strikes form, Bhosle impresses ahead of Irani Trophy

 

 

WITH Irani Trophy round the corner Ranji Trophy champions Vidarbha used the Thimmappiah Memorial Trophy in Bengaluru to iron out their flaws before the five-day encounter against some of the country’s best cricketers. Making most of the opportunity, Atharva Taide scored two hundreds emerging as the highest run getter for Vidarbha with 419 runs. Taide had scored 331 runs last Ranji season with a century and a fifty and these knocks in Thimmappiah Trophy would give him a world of confidence.

 

Though the match between Maharashtra and Vidarbha ended in a draw after the final day was washed out due to overnight rain and wet ground conditions at KINI Sports Ground in Bengaluru, the Taide-led side will return a satisfied lot. The tame draw ensured three points for Maharashtra as they secured first innings lead, while Vidarbha got one point. Vidarbha, thus finished second in the Group B with seven points behind Goa (12). As per the tournament rules, only top teams from the four groups qualify for the semi-finals. It was nevertheless a good outing for Vidarbha in the pre-season.

 

Apart from Taide, other batters Aman Mokhade (368), Yash Kadam (223) and Shivam Deshmukh (206) were also among runs. In the bowling department, Vidarbha got a chance to gauge the performance of spinner Ganesh Bhosle who impressed all with 12 wickets from two matches. Pacer Shanmesh Deshmukh bagged a fifer against Maharashtra. Brief scores: Maharashtra CA 1st innings: 404. VCA 1st innings: 380. Maharashtra CA 2nd innings: 40-4 in 15 overs. No play on Day 4. Result: Match drawn. MCA took first innings lead.