Vidarbha ended Day 3 of the Ranji Trophy semi-final against Mumbai at 147 for 4, leading by 260 runs after a strong 91-run partnership between Yash Rathod (59) and Akshay Wadkar (31). Despite an early collapse, the pair steadied the innings against Mumbai’s spinners. Mumbai was bowled out for 270, with Akash Anand scoring a resilient 106 to reduce the deficit. Vidarbha’s top order struggled, losing early wickets but Rathod and Wadkar’s solid partnership kept them in a strong position. Mumbai, needing early breakthroughs on Day 4, faces a tough challenge to stay in the match.
Vidarbha 393 and 147 for 4 (Rathod 59*, Wadkar 31*) lead Mumbai 270 (Anand 106, Rekhade 4-55) by 260 runs
Rathod remained not out on 59, marking his second fifty-plus score in the match, while Wadkar’s 31 not out reflected his gritty determination as he faced 102 deliveries. The left-right batting duo provided much-needed stability to a tense Vidarbha dressing room, as the spinners Shams Mulani and Tanush Kotian started to exploit the variable bounce on the Nagpur pitch.
Resuming their inning at 188 for 7, Anand formed a 69-run eighth-wicket partnership with Kotian, who contributed 33. Kotian was nearly dismissed for 6 when he was dropped early on by Wadkar off Yash Thakur. Following his dismissal by Parth Rekhade, who was instrumental with the ball on the second evening, Mumbai could only add 23 more runs, ending up all out for 270 and giving Vidarbha a 113-run lead.
Vidarbha’s second innings had a disastrous start, as Shardul Thakur struck with his second delivery to dismiss Atharva Taide just before tea. Danish Malewar batted at No. 3 instead of Rekhade, adding a brisk 29 runs before he returned a catch to Mulani while attempting a flick against the spin.
The match intensified when Karun Nair and Dhruv Shorey were dismissed within three overs, leaving Vidarbha at 56 for 4 and a lead of just 169 runs. Both Nair and Shorey fell lbw to Mulani and Kotian, respectively, undone by the sharp turn from the rough.
In the latter part of the final session, Mumbai struggled to make further breakthroughs as Wadkar and Rathod tackled a weary bowling attack, managing to keep the game alive as they approached Day 4 with Vidarbha in control. Shivam Dube, who secured a five-wicket haul in the first innings, was only brought back into the attack after the 40th over, by which time Rathod and Wadkar had halted the momentum.
The defending champions, with 42 titles to their name, now face the urgent task of making significant advances early on Thursday to maintain any hope of survival.