Ranji Trophy: Vidarbha fights back but Gujarat still in driver`s seat

Nagpur: Making up for the poor show on day one, Vidarbha put up a much better fight in their Ranji Trophy match even as Gujarat were still placed comfortably in the Group A contest, here on Monday.

Vidarbha today took seven wickets to bowl out Gujarat for 304 and then scored 87 for one. They are still trailing by 132 runs but they showed a lot of stomach for fight after being bowled out for 85 yesterday. Opener Faiz Fazal (58) and Amol Ubarhande (6) were at the crease for the hosts, which lost Akshay Kolhar (28) . Fazal and Ubarhande shared a sedate 59-run stand for the first wicket in 26 overs. It ended when Ubarhande was scalped by off-spinner Jesal Karia. Earlier, Gujarat began the day at a comfortable 153 for three with skipper Parthiv Patel and Mehul Patel resuming the innings. Vidarbha struck early as Sadeep Singh dismissed Mehul (1). Parthiv resisted the determined home attack by making a quick-fire 65 off 69 but other batsmen let down the side. Gujarat could have built a bigger lead but Vidarbha spoilt their plans. Had it not been for some superb batting by the lower-order, the visitors would not have cross the 300-run mark. After losing Mehul, Parthiv became a victim of Shrikant Wagh, who was the most successful Vidarbha bowler with four wickets haul. Y Venugopal Rao (16) and Bargav Meria (5) and Karia (0) did not last long, leaving Gujarat reeling at 214 for eight. Rakesh Dhjruv (22) and Rush Kalaria (39) propped up Gujarat with their 65-run stand for the eighth wicket. Brief Scores: Vidarbha: 85 and 87 for 1 in 34 overs. (F Fazal 48 batting; J Karia 1/5). Gujarat 1st innings: 304 all out in 106.5 overs. (P Patel 65, R Dhruv 22, R Kalalia 39; S Wagh 4/71).