DHRUV Shorey slammed a fine unbeaten century after Harsh Dubey took his second five-wicket haul as Vidarbha replied strongly to Himachal Pradesh’s first innings total of 307 on the second day of their Ranji Trophy match at VCA Civil Lines ground on Thursday. At stumps, Vidarbha were 283 for two, still trailing by 24 runs with Shorey (108) and Karun Nair (76) holding the fort firmly. Shorey, playing his second match of the season after missing out on the opener against Andhra, completed a well-deserved century in 180 balls. The 32-year-old Delhi boy acknowledged towards the pavilion and then to the sparse crowd which cheered him throughout the day. Shorey has so far hit six boundaries and has two crucial partnerships.

 

He first added 91 runs for the second wicket with Danish Malewar (59) , who scored his third half century of the season. The right-hander later partnered Nair and the two are unseparated and have added 142 runs for the third wicket. With eight wickets in hand, Vidarbha have an opportunity to take a big first innings lead and put Himachal Pradesh under the pump. “It’s always good to be among runs. I am determined to score runs in every match, not only in this game. Happy that I scored a hundred for the team and that too while chasing,” said Shorey after the day’s play. “We want to bat and score as big as we can. Then we will plan out our strategy for the later part of the match,” he said about the team’s plan ahead. Shorey and Malewar had a crucial partnership of 91 runs for the second wicket which laid the strong platform. “We only wanted to bat normally and play each ball on its merit. We talked on how to play the deliveries as this pitch always has something for the bowlers, so we needed to bat tight,” said Shorey on conversation with Malewar during their innings building partnership.

 

Malewar was batting aggressively and had hit three successive boundaries off Vaibhav Arora. In the process he also reached his half century but lost his temper and played a rash shot on the last delivery of that over to give a diving catch to Akasht Vasisht at mid-wicket region. “It happens sometime. But he (Malewar) batted really well and that partnership was very crucial at that time. Runs also came quick for us with him around,” Shorey justified Malewar’s style of play. Vidarbha’s chase started on a positive note with Taide and Shorey adding 50 for the opening wicket in 12 overs. But two deliveries post lunch, Taide was trapped in front to off-spinner Mukul Negi. Stretching forward, Taide did not offer a shot and umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger. Malewar and Shorey then took the team forward before the former lost his cool. His departure brought in experienced Nair who toyed with Himachal bowlers to take Vidarbha to a position of strength. In the morning, Resuming at overnight score of 263-6, Himachal Pradesh managed to add 44 runs more to their total as Dubey, who had taken three on the opening day, took two more to complete his fifer. Aditya Thakare and Praful Hinge took the other two wickets.