Malewar, Bhute rescue Vid but hosts fail to take lead

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MISSING most of the season due to injury, Vidarbha middle-order batter Danish Malewar knew the importance of his wicket. Malewar, who got injured during last year’s Irani Cup Trophy, watched his team’s progress this Ranji season as he continued to recover. In their last league must-win match of Ranji Trophy against Uttar Pradesh, the 22-year-old batter bailed out defending champions from a precarious position on the second day here at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium. Along with seamer Nachiket Bhute (63), a not so recognised batter, the two pulled out Vidarbha from deep trouble putting up an important 126-run partnership for the seventh wicket. But after their departure, the tail did not wag as Vidarbha were bundled out for exactly 237, same as Uttar Pradesh’s total with pacer Shivam Mavi taking seven first innings wickets.

 

 

In their second innings, Uttar Pradesh were 75-2 with captain Aryan Juyal (35) and Aditya Sharma (25) at the crease. Resuming the second day at 33-0, Vidarbha were in all sorts of trouble losing six wickets for 103 runs in first session, with Mavi taking top five. Malewar (80; 117b, 10x4, 1x6) and Bhute did the repair work. From finding gaps in the field to hitting occasional boundaries and sixes, the two started to take the game away from Uttar Pradesh’s grip. And as the tea break approached, both completed their well-deserved half centuries and put Vidarbha back into the reckoning. Bhute eased out the pressure with three sixes and four boundaries in his third First Class half century. He completed his 50 with a crisp cover drive boundary off Kartik Yadav. This was after Malewar completed his ninth half century early in the day. Their partnership finally came to an end in the 59th over when Malewar gave a simple catch to Madhav Kaushik off Mavi who completed his fifer. Few overs later, it was a sad end for Bhute who got run out while going for the non-existent third run. Vidarbha were 233, still trailing by five runs. They could not take the lead and were bundled for 237. In the morning, Vidarbha were bounced out by Mavi.

 

The seamer extracted pace and enough bounce from the track to trouble the home batters. The two overnight batters -- Aman Mokhade (28) and Satyam Bhoyar (19) -- could not hold the fort for long. Mokhade poked one behind to keeper Aditya Sharma to ignite Vidarbha’s fall. New-man Rohit Binkar never looked comfortable against Mavi. He was troubled by bouncers by the UP seamer who hit him on his helmet early. The batter finally perished to a short-pitched delivery giving a simple catch to stumper Sharma in the 21st over. Vidarbha professional R Samarth failed to read the line of the ball and was castled first ball while shouldering arm the delivery. Mavi struck once again sending back Bhoyar caught behind off a bouncer in the 23rd over. Later, Kartik Tyagi came from pavilion end and succeeded in getting the wicket of Yash Kadam (14) who completely missed the line to see his stumps shattered. Then came Malewar and Bhute who helped Vidarbha reach near the 237 score.