Shorey’s 168 drives Vidarbha into control against Goa in Ranji Trophy
Dhruv Shorey’s century propelled Vidarbha into a commanding position on the third day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match against Goa at the VCA Jamtha Stadium in Nagpur on Wednesday. Vidarbha declared on 442 for eight and left Goa 41 for one at the close of play.
Vidarbha began Wednesday trailing by three runs before Danish Malewar (56, 108b, 6x4) edged the fifth ball of the day through the slips to put the hosts in front, only to be dismissed soon after when he edged a pull to the wicketkeeper. With grey clouds overhead and the new ball available, Goa briefly sensed an opportunity, but a composed partnership between Dhruv Shorey and captain Akshay Wadkar saw Vidarbha through the first session. Shorey reached his century just before lunch and remained the central figure in the innings.
Shorey’s innings finished at 168 from 291 balls, with 13 fours and a six, as he regularly manoeuvred the ball around the park. His knock formed the backbone of Vidarbha’s 442-run total and was the main driver of the hosts’ push for a decisive position.
Akshay Wadkar contributed an unbeaten 63 from 129 balls with three fours; he reached his fifty and retired hurt before returning briefly later in the day. Harsh Dubey replaced him and, after a rain interruption that almost halted play, struck Darshan Misal for a straight six immediately after play resumed. Dubey, Nachiket Bhute and Parth Rekhade were dismissed by Ruthvik Naik when attempting to accelerate the scoring.
Shorey was bowled at the stroke of tea, whereupon Wadkar chose to declare, leaving Goa to negotiate a testing final session. Goa lost Suyash Prabhudessai to a Bhute lbw for six, but Manthan Khutkar and Abhinav Tejrana batted through the remainder of the day, compiling an unbroken 113-ball partnership to keep their side’s hopes alive.
Score details — Goa: 1st innings 220. Vidarbha — 1st innings: Satyam Bhoyar c Tari b Koushik 2, Aman Mokhade c Bhujbal b Ruthvik 39, R. Samarth c Bhujbal b Koushik 53, Dhruv Shorey b Misal 168, Danish Malewar c Bhujbal b Ruthvik 56, Akshay Wadkar (not out) 63, Harsh Dubey c (sub) b Ruthvik 22, Nachiket Bhute c (sub) b Ruthvik 4, Parth Rekhade c Prabhudessai b Ruthvik 4; Extras (b-17, lb-7, nb-1, w-6): 31; Total (for eight wkts. decl. in 134.2 overs): 442. Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-66, 3-124, 4-225, 5-405, 6-424, 7-430, 8-442.
Goa bowling (1st innings): Koushik 25-10-42-2, Ruthvik 26-2-70-5, Tari 21-1-75-0, Kasvankar 16-0-69-0, Misal 31.2-1-109-1, Lalit 14-1-50-0, Prabhudessai 1-0-3-0. Goa — 2nd innings: Suyash Prabhudessai lbw b Bhute 6, Manthan Khutkar (batting) 24, Abhinav Tejrana (batting) 8; Extras (lb-1, w-2): 3; Total (for one wkt. in 23 overs): 41. Vidarbha bowling (2nd innings): Bhute 5-2-4-1, Dubey 6-2-14-0, Yash Thakur 4-0-10-0, Rekhade 5-1-8-0, Gurbani 1-0-2-0, Mokhade 2-1-2-0.
Vidarbha’s declaration at 442 for eight left Goa 41 for one after 23 overs, with Manthan Khutkar 24 not out and Abhinav Tejrana 8 not out, a position that the visitors can use to try to salvage a final-day draw.