VIDARBHA ruled Day One of their Col CK Nayudu Trophy (U-25) match against Himachal Pradesh at Atal Behari Vajpayee Stadium in Amtar (HP) on Sunday.

Electing to bat in home conditions backfired badly for the hosts as they were shot out for a paltry 74 in 22 overs, surprisingly, the wreckers being two spinners of different styles. In remaining part of the day, Vidarbha batters made 211-7 in 66 overs, ruling out any doubts of devil in the wicket. Yash Rathod (61*; 95b, 7x4), who came to bat at number six, and Pravin Rokdea (0*; 11b) were holding the fort. Praful Hinge and Ganesh Bhosle are yet to bat.

Vidarbha, who need to win all their remaining matches to make knock-outs, started the day with a bang.

Seamer Praful Hinge (7-0-30-2) drew first blood by disturbing the woodwork of Vaibhav Sharma (2; 6b). Team management’s decision to open with talented off-spinner Ganesh Bhosle (6-1-22-3) paid rich dividends. The bowler took wickets in his first, second and fifth overs to dismantle HP top order. By 8.3 overs, they were 4-24. From there on, it was left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey (8-3-12-5) show. The southpaw all-rounder took his second consecutive five-wicket haul. He had one batsman caught and bowled while all the rest were declared lbw with Mridul Surroch (31; 36b, 5x4), the top-scorer, being the last one.

Vidarbha had a good start with in-form openers — Satyam Bhoyar (48; 96b, 3x4, 1x6) and Aman Mokhade (38; 71b, 5x4) putting on 80 in good time (23.3 overs) before the latter got out. Dubey (13; 33b, 1x4) was promoted to number three, but he could not justify the call. Bhoyar, Dubey and Danish Malewar (1; 8b) fell within five runs and from a healthy 101-1, the visitors were 106-4. Captain Yash Kadam (14; 19b, 2x4), too, did not last long.

Vice-captain Rathod steadied the ship with two small stands. He and stumper Aniket Pande (5; 35b) added 36 runs and then with Mandar Mahalle (20; 31b, 2x4), he put on another 50 dominating both the partnerships. For the hosts, Mukul Negi (17-3-51-3) was the most successful bowler.