AFTER first two contrasting games, Vidarbha have put themselves in a must-win situation when they take on Railways in their last league match of the CK Nayudu U-25 Cricket Tournament beginning at the DVR Ground, Mulapadu on Tuesday.

Vidarbha started the campaign on a positive note recording an innings win over Chandigarh inside three days but lost the plot against Maharashtra in their second game after taking a slender one-run lead. Chasing a target of 211 runs, Vidarbha batters disappointed to be bundled out for 181 to go down by 29 runs.

Presently, in the four-team Elite Group D, Vidarbha are placed third with seven points behind toppers Railways (10) and Maharashtra (7). If Vidarbha are to finish atop the points table, they must score an outright win over Railways and at the same time expect a favourable result in the match between Maharashtra and fourth-placed Chandigarh, who have lost both their matches.

A lot will depend on toss and the kind of start Vidarbha openers give to the team. One of the two openers Aman Mokhade is in top from and has scored two centuries in two games. But even then he must take the onus to make the big score count.

Left-arm spinners Harsh Dubey and Parth Rekhade have been doing fine with the ball.

A complete team effort is needed if Vidarbha are to make it to the next stage.