AFTER first 11.1 overs of the second day’s play, Jammu and Kashmir were certainly looking better team than two-time champions Vidarbha in their Ranji Trophy match at VCA Civil Lines ground on Wednesday.

In that period, under overcast conditions, J&K bowlers sent back three top batters back in the hut conceding just 27 runs. The wickets to fall were of Ganesh Satish (0; 9b), who had hit an unbeaten 151 against Tripura in the last game; vice-captain Akshay Wadkar (5; 9b, 1x4), who scored a hundred against Railways in first game and almost another versus Tripura, and the third one Mohit Kale (10; 15b, 2x4), who was included in place of an inconsistent Apoorv Wankhade. At 85-5, Vidarbha were surely in a crisis.

But three fifties and two good partnerships bailed them out. Atharva Taide (74; 136b, 11x4), Aditya Sarvate (75; 137b, 9x4, 2x6) and debutant Harsh Dubey (55; 71b, 8x4) rose to the occasion. The hosts finally managed 272 in 83.5 overs for a good 81 runs first innings lead. Seasoned offie Akshay Wakhare picked a couple of wickets during the last half an hour as Vidarbha wrested back the control over the game. By end of the day’s play, the visitors were 77-3, effectively minus four runs with seven second innings wickets in hand. If Vidarbha bowlers have a good morning on the third day, an early finish is on cards.

Vidarbha did not know that shocks were reserved for them when they started at their overnight score of 58-2. Left-arm orthodox Abid Mushtaq, who took wicket on first ball of the 22nd over Tuesday evening, started the proceedings. New man Ganesh played all the five dots. It was a fresh day with clouds hovering over and any captain would introduced a pace bowler replacing Mushtaq. But Shubham Khajuria let Mushtaq continue and on fourth ball, the bowler delivered a big punch. A tentative push by Ganesh landed straight in the bowler’s hands. Vidarbha had added no runs by that time. Eleven runs later, Wadkar found the pace of Umar Nazir Mir too hot to handle and was cleaned up. Kale hit two boundaries to reach into double digits but the pace and movement found him plumb in front of the wicket.

Southpaw Taide and Sarvate then got together and stemmed the rot. They played the balls on merit showcasing their defensive skills. But as they got their eyes in, they did not let the loose balls go away for nothing. They had almost identical contributions in their 73-run association playing 131 balls together in that period.

A mistimed sweep off off-spinner Sahil Lotra that got the top edge ended Taide’s stay as he was caught comfortably caught at fine leg. Taide must ensure that he does not waste good starts. With tail exposed, Vidarbha were 6-158. However, Sarvate got an able ally in newcomer Dubey. The southpaw, who is an upcoming all-rounder, gave good support to senior colleague also helping himself to maiden fifty in debut game. His stand-out shot for the day was sweep that fetched him most of his fours.

Second new ball, fast-forwarded the things as Mir completed his five-wicket haul and soon Vidarbha were shot out.

J&K lost an early wicket as debutant Nachiket Bhute, who struck on his first First-Class ball in the first innings, struck six balls later this time. On first ball of his second over, he forced Suryansh Raina to edge one behind for Wadkar.

Khajuria (39; 83b, 6x4, 1x6) and Henan Nazir (21; 56b, 3x4) batted well until Wakhare disturbed the sticks of the latter. Wakhare struck once again having Vivrant Sharma caught at the wicket. Fazil Rashid (1*; 14b) was giving company to his skipper when play ended.