With a 171-run win against Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha emerged winners of the Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy 2016-17. Coming in to bat early in the innings on both occasions, Sandesh Drugwar (98 and 83) top-scored for the team in both innings to help set UP a formidable target in the title clash. While Harsh Dubey claimed a four-for in the first innings and followed up with a three-wicket haul in the second; he was complemented by Rohit Dattatraya (5/57 in the first innings) and Prerit Agrawal (6/59 in the second innings) to bowl the opposition out.
Electing to bat first, Vidarbha posted 310 in the first innings. Drugwar joined Avesh Shaikh at 21 for one and helped lay a foundation for a solid first innings total. The pair helped the team to 165 until the opener was bowled by Subhashish Biswas for 78. After 30 runs, Aman Mokhade’s stumps were disrupted by Kartik Tyagi. The No 3 bat then joined forces with skipper Mandar Mahale. The pair had added 61 runs until the top-order bat’s 214-ball knock was ended by Vishal Thakur with Vidarbha on 256 for four. The team then lost their remaining six wickets for the addition of 54 runs to the tally as the Biswas-led attack ran through the rest of the lineup.
Biswas picked four wickets while Thakur and Tyagi claimed three each.
Dubey and Dattatraya then bowled Vidarbha to a 134-run lead in the four-day game. Dubey accounted for Prabhnoor Singh with 37 runs of the board to set the ball rolling while his team-mate followed up with the wicket of Aryan Sharma 22 runs later. The duo continued to pick wickets at regular intervals to skittle UP out for 176 in the first innings and put their side in a commanding position.
However, again with 21 runs on the board, Vidarbha lost their first wicket. Avesh was sent back by Thakur for five. Drugwar then joined Aman Dehankar in the middle to carry the innings forward. But 43 runs later the bowler accounted for the other opener as well. While wickets continued to fall, the No 3 bat held up one end to add useful runs to the tally and boost the lead. While Thakur (six wickets) and Tyagi (four wickets) bowled Vidarbha out for 197 in their second innings, Drugwar scored 83 off 187 balls to set the opponents a 332-run target.
Agrawal then claimed Sisodsia before UP could open their accounts while Dubey sent back Prabhnoor with the side on eight for two. While the duo had left UP reeling at 55 for five, Aryan Sharma and Vikas Sikarwar joined forces in an effort to revive the innings. However, Mahale accounted for Sikarwar to end the partnership. The Agrawal and Dubey pair then wrapped up the innings for 160 to take Vidarbha to a comprehensive win.
Brief scores:
Vidarbha 1st inn 310/10 in 95.3 overs (S Drugwar 98, A Shaikh 78, S Biswas 4/46); UP 1st inn 176/10 in 72.4 overs (Vashudev 46, R Dattatraya 5/57, H Dubey 4/65); Vidarbha 2nd inn 197/10 in 71.2 overs (S Drugwar 83, V Thakur 6/82, K Tyagi 4/75); UP 2nd inn 160/10 in 60.2 overs (V Sikarwar 47, P Agrawal 6/59, H Dubey 3/38) Vidarbha won by 171 runs
