Vidarbha reached 393 and managed to post 147 for 4 in their second innings against Mumbai, leading by 260 runs in the Ranji Trophy semi-final. An unbroken 91-run partnership between Yash Rathod (59) and Akshay Wadkar (31) helped stabilize a faltering top order. Mumbai’s Akash Anand scored a resilient 106, but the team was bowled out for 270. Vidarbha faced early setbacks, losing two quick wickets, yet Rathod and Wadkar’s patience kept them in control ahead of Day 4. The defending champions must make significant progress to survive, needing early breakthroughs to remain competitive.
Vidarbha scored 393 and 147 for 4 (Rathod 59*, Wadkar 31*) leading Mumbai who made 270 (Anand 106, Rekhade 4-55) by 260 runs
Rathod remained not out on 59, marking his second half-century of the match, while Wadkar’s 31 not out was a determined display as he faced 102 balls. The left-right batting duo provided much-needed stability for a tense Vidarbha side, while spinners Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian began to exploit a Nagpur pitch that was exhibiting varying bounce.
Starting the day at 188 for 7, Anand formed a 69-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Kotian, who contributed 33 runs. Kotian was fortunate to stay in after being dropped on 6 earlier in the day by Wadkar off Yash Thakur. Following his dismissal to Parth Rekhade, who was instrumental with the ball on the previous day, Mumbai managed to add only 23 runs before being bowled out for 270, thus surrendering a 113-run lead.
Vidarbha’s second innings began disastrously when Shardul Thakur took a wicket with his second delivery, dismissing Atharva Taide just before tea. Danish Malewar, not Rekhade, came in at No. 3 and contributed briskly with 29 runs before returning a simple catch to Mulani while attempting to flick a delivery that turned.
The match intensified when Karun Nair and Dhruv Shorey both fell within three overs, leaving Vidarbha at 56 for 4 with their lead reduced to 169. Both batsmen were declared lbw, dismissed by Mulani and Kotian, respectively, as they fell victim to sharp turn off the pitch.
Mumbai struggled to make significant progress during most parts of the final session as Wadkar and Rathod managed to hold off an exhausted bowling attack, ensuring the match would continue into the fourth day with Vidarbha in a dominant position. Shivam Dube, who had taken five wickets in the first innings, only bowled after the 40th over, by which time Wadkar and Rathod had mitigated the damage.
The defending champions, having won the trophy 42 times, now face the urgent task of making significant strides early on Thursday to have any hope of survival in the match.