Despite fabulous half centuries by opening batsman Sanjay Ramaswamy and wicketkeeper batsman Akshay Wadkar Vidarbha lost to Jharkhand by three wickets in Vijay Hazare Trophy match at Holkar Stadium in Indore on Wednesday.
In response to Vidarbha's total of 288 for nine, Jharkhand achieved the target losing seven wickets in 49.3 overs. Earlier opening batsman R Sanjay (82, 95b, 6x4, 3x6) and wicketkeeper-batsman Akshay Wadkar (76, 74b, 8x4, 1x6) slammed excellent half-centuries to help Vidarbha post a strong-looking total .Vidarbha had shaky start as as Faiz Fazal departed without troubling the scorers. It was Vidarbha skipper’s tenth duck in List-A one-dayers. Sajany Ramaswamy and Ganesh Satish (15: 27b, 2x4) added 45 runs for the second wicket.
In-form Yash Rathod scored 37 off 44 balls with the help of three fours and a six. Ramaswamy and Rathod made 68 runs partnership for the third wicket .
Sanjay Ramaswamy completed his second fifty of his career before he was dismissed for his highest score of 82. The young opener hammered six fours and three sixes during his 95-ball knock.
After the departure of Sanjay Ramaswamy, Akshay Wadkar scored his third half-century in List-A cricket.Aditya Sarvate also contributed a valuable 37. The tall right-handed batsman faced 34 balls and walloped three fours and six.
The innings was given a perfect finish by Aditya Thakare. The tall youngster hammered two sixes during his four-ball 12 not out.
In reply, off spinner Akshay Wakhare delivered a severe jolt to Jharkhand by dismissing opener Ishan Kishan on duck on very first ball. But then Kumar Deobrat (100, 103, 12x4, 4x6) and Utkarsh Singh (49, 63b, 7x4) steadied the innings and by frustrating Vidarbha bowlers made 112 run partnership for second wicket. After the departure of Singh, Virat Singh (36) gave good company to Deobrat and both were involved in 71 run partnership for third wicket. Tailender Rajandeep Singh played a swashbuckling knock and remained unbeaten on 48 (25b, 5x4, 2x6) in the company of Bal Krishna (21, 11b. 2X4, 1x6).
For Vidarbha, Shubham Dubey claimed three wickets for 59).
Brief scores
Vidarbha: 288 for 9 in 50 overs (Sanjay Ramaswamy 82, Akshay Wadkar 76, Yash Rathod 37, Vikas Singh 48* for 65) lose to Jharkhand: 294 for 7 in 49.3 overs ( Kumar Deobrat 100, Utkarsh Singh 49, Rajandeep Singh 48*, Shubham Dubey 3 for 59) by three wickets