Nagpur: Vidarbha kept their hopes alive for the knockout thrashing Delhi by an innings and 93 runs in group B Ranji Trophy cricket match at Vidarbha Cricket Association’s Jamtha Stadium on Saturday.
With this victory now Vidarbha are placed second in points tally with 24 points to their credit while Delhi are still pool topper with 31. Left-arm spinner Rakesh Dhurv and pacer Shrikant Wagh proved to be a menace for the Delhi batsmen picking up three wickets each. Wagh ended with a match-haul of 8 for 90 while Dhurv picked up 7 for 51.
Earlier Delhi started the day at 133 for 8 with Varun Sood on 21 and Virender Sehwag on 6, but their resistance was short-lived as Delhi were bundled out for 154 in their first innings. Thanks to Wagh who claimed five wicket haul conceding 46 runs and Dhurv bagged 4 for 34.
Having been made to follow-on, Delhi couldn’t manage to find their footing. Only one of their top five could manage to get double-figures, and crumbled to 99 for 7 before Vidarbha bowled them out for 123. Sehwag’s 41 of 54 was the only notable contribution.
Wagh and Dhruv were ably supported by part timer Faiz Fazal and Akshay Wakhare who claimed two wickets each.
Though Delhi are top of their group, they are yet to win a match away from home. They drew their games against Maharashtra in Pune and Haryana in Lahli.Vidarbha will play their next match against Maharashtra at Pune from February 6.
