NEW DELHI: Seamer Nachiket Bhute’s fiery three-wicket spell and Yash Rathod’s composed century powered Vidarbha to a commanding 198-run victory over Tamil Nadu, securing a spot in the Ranji Trophy semifinals on day four in Nagpur on Tuesday.
Bhute was instrumental in dismantling Tamil Nadu’s top order, returning figures of 3/19 in 10 overs, while Rathod’s patient 112 off 213 balls anchored Vidarbha’s second innings, ensuring a daunting target of 401.
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Chasing 401, Tamil Nadu’s formidable batting lineup crumbled, reduced to 45/5 by the end of day three. Bhute led the charge, dismissing key batters Narayan Jagadeesan (18), Vijay Shankar (5), and Boopathi Kumar (0) in quick succession.
Despite a battling 53 off 95 balls from Pradosh Ranjan Paul and a fighting 57 off 84 deliveries from Sonu Yadav, Tamil Nadu fell well short, getting bowled out for 202 in 61.1 overs. Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey (3/40) wrapped up the innings, taking the last three wickets to seal Vidarbha’s emphatic victory.
Vidarbha started day four with a 297-run lead and added another 103 runs before being bowled out for 272 in 92.3 overs. Rathod, resuming unbeaten on 55, continued his measured innings to notch up his fifth first-class century, guiding Vidarbha to a massive 400-run advantage.
His crucial 120-run partnership with Harsh Dubey (64) helped steady the innings after early setbacks. Though Tamil Nadu managed to take the final five wickets, the damage had already been done.
Tamil Nadu’s second innings mirrored their first, with wickets tumbling early. Right-arm pacer Aditya Thakare struck first, removing Mohammed Ali for 10, before Bhute ripped through the middle order.
Pradosh Ranjan’s fifty provided brief resistance, but his dismissal signaled the end for Tamil Nadu. Sonu Yadav’s determined half-century only delayed the inevitable, as Vidarbha’s bowlers wrapped up the match clinically.
With this comprehensive win, last season’s runners-up continued their dominant run in the tournament, marching into the semifinals in style.
Brief scores: Vidarbha: 353 & 272 in 92.3 overs (Yash Rathod 112, Harsh Dubey 64; Sai Kishore Sai Kishore 5/78, Ajith Ram 2/33) vs Tamil Nadu: 225 & 202 in 61.1 overs (Pradosh Ranjan Paul 53, Sonu Yadav 57; Nachiket Bhute 3/19, Harsh Dubey 3/40). Vidarbha beat Tamil Nadu by 198 runs.
