Yash Thakur polished off the RoI lower-order. | Photo Credit: X@BCCI Domestic

Thick cloud cowl ensured solely a solitary over was bowled within the closing session on the third day of the Irani Cup on the VCA Stadium in Jamtha on Friday. While the Vidarbha camp stayed relaxed, the Rest of India (RoI) gamers have been left beneath a gloomier shadow, each on the scoreboard and in spirit.

Bundled out for 214 within the morning, RoI conceded a hefty 128-run lead.

By stumps, Vidarbha had stretched its benefit to 224, cruising to 96 for 2. The Ranji Trophy champion is in a commanding place, leaving RoI with a gargantuan job for making a miraculous comeback.

The day started with RoI resuming on 142 for 5. Skipper Rajat Patidar would have hoped for resistance from Manav Suthar, however Aditya Thakare struck with the primary ball of the day, trapping him plumb in entrance.

Patidar (66, 125b, 10×4) performed some trademark cowl drives to carry agency, but wickets saved tumbling.

Yash Thakur’s searing tempo dismantled the tail — Saransh Jain misplaced his stumps to a peach of a yorker, whereas Akash Deep and Gurnoor Brar succumbed to short-pitched bowling aimed toward their ribs. Between the 2 short-pitched dismissals, Harsh Dubey ended Patidar’s vigil with a teasing supply that induced a miscued lofted drive to long-off.

Vidarbha’s openers negotiated a tough 45 minutes earlier than lunch. But quickly after, first-innings centurion Atharva Taide holed out to deep midwicket to present his wicket. Aman Mokhade, trying assured, faltered in opposition to Brar’s brief ball, his miscued hook carrying to wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan.

Dhruv Shorey and Danish Malewar steadied the innings then, guiding Vidarbha to security earlier than dangerous mild ended play. The duo can be hoping to take Vidarbha to security in its quest to earn the third Irani Cup title.

The scores: Vidarbha 342 & 96/2 in 36 overs vs Rest of India 214 in 69.5 overs (Abhimanyu Easwaran 52, Rajat Patidar 66, Yash Thakur 4/66).

Published – October 03, 2025 06:14 pm IST