Vidarbha get three points against Tamil Nadu

Nagpur: Vidarbha earned three valuable points thanks to the significant contribution made by their lower middle-order as they went past Tamil Nadu`s first innings score on the final day of their Ranji Trophy group B match which ended in a dull draw.

Tamil Nadu had to remain content with just one point. Resuming the day on 214 for 2, overnight batsman Shalabh Shrivastava (28) was dismissed early. Former Indian batsman Hemang Badani failed to open his account and was dismissed by pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji. Balaji too accounted for opener Faiz Fazal`s wicket who scored 143 runs, including 21 boundaries in his almost nine-hour long innings. He was dismissed with the score reading 282 for five, still 161 runs behind in reply to Tamil Nadu`s score of 443. Just when it seemed that Vidarbha would fall short of Tamil Nadu`s first innings total, skipper Ranjit Paradkar (62) and young batsman Gaurav Upadhyaya (30) steadied the ship for the hosts. Paradkar struck eight fours in his half century. Srikant Wagh, who came in at No 8 scored a quick-fire 87 ball 83 laced with 10 boundaries and three sixes. Debutant Sumit Ruikar knock of 67 runs in just 71 deliveries including four boundaries and a six. He remained unbeaten along with Amol Jungade (28) when the match ended. For Tamil Nadu, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Vijay Shankar and R Aushik Srinivas managed to get two wickets each. Brief Scores: Tamil Nadu first innings: 449 for eight decl Vidarbha first innings: 566 for eight in 181 overs (Faiz Fazal 143, Shrikant Wagh 83; Vijay Shankar 2/52) Result: Match drawn. Points: Vidarbha 3, Tamil Nadu 1. PTI