A true champion team knows how to quickly recover from a setback and seize the advantage when an opportunity arises. On Sunday, defending champions Vidarbha perfectly exemplified this, thanks to a phenomenal bowling display by Nachiket Bhute, who ripped through Tamil Nadu’s middle order with a devastating five-wicket haul.
Bhute, a right-arm pacer, delivered a crucial morning spell of 9-4-22-3, claiming the last three frontline batsmen. This game-changing performance completely shifted the momentum, allowing Vidarbha to assert control on the second day of the Ranji Trophy (Elite Group-A) clash at the Sri Ramakrishna College ground.
With a relatively fresh ball, Bhute maintained a disciplined line, relentlessly targeting the stumps and reaping rewards. Resuming their innings at 252 for four, the home side dramatically collapsed, losing their final six wickets for just 21 runs, ultimately being bundled out for a total of 291.
In response, opener Aman Mokhade, who has already notched up centuries in the previous two matches, played a composed innings of 80 runs. This stellar performance helped Vidarbha finish the day strongly on 211 for two.
Mokhade, alongside the experienced Dhruv Shorey, who remained unbeaten on 80, displayed aggressive intent, consistently pushing the scoreboard forward. Their partnership for the second wicket added a crucial 123 runs.
Conversely, it was another disappointing effort from the Tamil Nadu bowlers. Apart from skipper R. Sai Kishore, most bowlers struggled with their lines and lengths, failing to create sufficient wicket-taking opportunities.
Earlier in the day, Bhute rattled Sharukh Khan’s stumps with a straight delivery that kept low, catching the batsman rooted to the crease. Next, B. Indrajith played onto an incoming ball, falling just four runs short of a well-deserved century. S. Mohamed Ali was then clean-bowled after misjudging the line.
Left-arm spinner Parth Rekhade then efficiently wrapped up the tail, securing three quick wickets and leaving the home team firmly on the back foot.
Match Scores:
Tamil Nadu – 1st innings: S.R. Athish c Bhoyar b Hinge 3, R. Vimal Khumar c Wadkar b Bhute 2, Pradosh Ranjan Paul lbw b Bhute 113, C. Andre Siddarth b Karnewar 33, B. Indrajith b Bhute 96, M. Shahrukh Khan b Bhute 17, S. Mohamed Ali b Bhute 14, R. Sai Kishore c Mokhade b Rekhade 1, D.T. Chandrasekar c Bhoyar b Rekhade 1, Trilok Nag b Rekhade 3, Sandeep Warrier (not out) 0, Extras (lb-2, b-4, w-2): 8; Total (in 107.1 overs): 291
Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-18, 3-73, 4-252, 5-270, 6-271, 7-286, 8-286, 9-290
Vidarbha bowling: Bhute 26-8-65-5, Hinge 23-6-62-1, Lalit 15-4-37-0, Rekhade 26.1-2-58-3, Karnewar 16-0-55-1, Bhoyar 1-0-8-0.
Vidarbha – 1st innings: Aman Mokhade c Vimal b Sai Kishore 80, Satyam Bhoyar c Andre Siddarth b Sai Kishore 11, Dhruv Shorey (batting) 80, R. Samarth (batting) 24, Extras (b-6, lb-9, w-1): 16; Total (for two wkts in 68 overs): 211
Fall of wickets: 1-37, 2-160
Tamil Nadu bowling: Warrier 14-1-31-0, Sai Kishore 24-5-72-2, Chandrasekar 14-0-43-0, Trilok 8-0-26-0, Mohamed Ali 8-0-24-0.