DANISH Malewar was only 10 years old when Karun Nair made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2013 for Karnataka against Punjab. But on Thursday, Malewar, 21, matched his strokes with that of 32-year-old Nair, who is now playing for Vidarbha as a professional as they stitched an unbeaten 152 runs for the third wicket to help the hosts end the second day at 202 for two against Gujarat at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium on Thursday. Vidarbha still trail by 141 runs with eight wickets standing. Restricting Gujarat at 343 after they resumed Day Two from 281 for six, the two Vidarbha batters defied the visiting bowlers with their fine unbeaten half centuries. Nair is unconquered on 81 while Malewar is following him with undefeated 76 runs. Nair and Malewar did the rebuilding act perfectly after Vidabha lost openers Atharva Taide (13) and Dhruv Shorey (27) in quick succession before tea break.

 

 

Nair showed why he is rated so highly in domestic circuit as he hit some classic cover drives, flicks to the fine-leg fence and used his soft hands for delectable fours towards third-man. Nair, who had scored 85 against Himachal Pradesh a few days ago, used his feet to perfection hitting 11 boundaries and two sixes. Malewar, on the other hand, studiously watched his senior pro Nair bat from the other end and took a leaf out of the former Karnataka player’s book to score runs with ease. Malewar’s innings needs more praise as he looked patient and waited for the ball to come on to the bat. He did not play dead bat but found enough gaps in the field to score runs through boundaries, 11 in total so far. He was not afraid of stepping out and took aerial route, one of which cleared the ropes. While this was Nair's second successive half century, Malewar has scored his fourth successive fifty this season and both would be aiming to reach the three figure-mark on the morrow.

 

Nair and Malewar were harsh on Gujarat seamers and spinners. If captain Chintan Gaja was hit for straight boundaries by Nair, Malwar smashed a six and a four off spinner Vishal Jayswal who was inconsistent with his line and length. Malewar, when on 40, survived a caught behind call when he nicked one to keeper Patel but spinner Vishal Jayswal was caught overstepping by the third umpire. Vidarbha started their innings with a positive intent with Taide and Shorey hitting the ball to its merit. They kept themselves quiet till lunch picking 23 runs from nine overs. However, immediately after lunch, Shorey freed his arms and hit Gaja for a couple of boundaries, first a straighter one and then a beautiful square cut. He targeted the bowler and hit two more boundaries an over later.

 

Taide gave him company and rotated the strike before Shorey’s innings was cut short by pacer Arzan Nagwaswala who bowled a probing line. Trying to work out in the gap, Shorey edged one towards keeper Het Patel as the first wicket partnership of 44 runs came to an end. Three overs later, Taide was trapped in front by pacer Tejas Patel for 13. It looked a controversial decision as the batter claimed that the ball had hit his thigh pads. Earlier, resuming at their overnight score of 281-6, Gujarat were all out for 343. Gujarat captain Gaja remained unbeaten on 86 as wickets fell from the other end. Only one wicket was claimed by spinner Harsh Dubey while the remaining nine went to pacers with Praful Hinge, Aditya Thakare and Nachiket Bhute taking three each.