Cr gnaneshwar

Ranji Trophy Elite Group: Reigning champions Vidarbha’s hopes of sealing an outright win to qualify for the knockouts suffered a setback as they failed to take the lead against Uttar Pradesh on day two of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A clash at the VCA Stadium on Friday.

Half-centuries from Danish Malewar (80) and Nachiket Bhute (63) had lifted Vidarbha from a precarious 95/6 and their 126-run stand threatened to secure a crucial first-innings lead for the hosts.

But India pacer Shivam Mavi’s incisive spell of 7/59 triggered a collapse, as Vidarbha went from 221/6 to 237 all out, leaving the scores level. At stumps, UP were 75/2 in their second innings, with skipper Aryan Juyal (35 not out) and Aaditya Sharma (25 not out) at the crease. With qualification on the line, Vidarbha’s bowlers face a stiff task to force a result.