Lower order helps Vidarbha snatch 3 points vs TN

Vidarbha earned three valuable points thanks to the significant contribution made by their lower middle-order as they went past Tamil Nadu's first innings score on the final day of their Ranji Trophy Group B match which ended in a draw in Nagpur.

Resuming the day on 214 for 2, overnight batsman Shalabh Shrivastava (28) was dismissed early. Veteran Hemang Badani also followed suit as he failed to open his account and was dismissed by pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji.

Balaji also accounted for opener Faiz Fazal's wicket who played a solid knock of 143, having hit 21 boundaries during his stay at the crease which stretched nearly nine hours.

He was dismissed with the score reading 282 for five, still 161 runs behind Tamil Nadu's score of 443.

Just when it seemed that Vidarbha would fall short of Tamil Nadu's first innings total, skipper Ranjit Paradkar (62) and young batsman Gaurav Upadhyaya (30) steadied the ship for the hosts.

Shrikant Wagh, who came in at No. 8, hammered a quick 87-ball 83 laced with 10 boundaries and three sixes.

Debutant Sumit Ruikar was unbeaten on a quick 67 from 71 deliveries including four boundaries and a six as the match finished in a draw.

Brief scores:

Tamil Nadu first innings: 449 for eight declared

Vidarbha first innings: 566 for eight in 181 overs (Faiz Fazal 143, Shrikant Wagh 83; Vijay Shankar 2/52)

Result: Match drawn.

Points: Vidarbha 3, Tamil Nadu 1.