Parth Puts Vidarbha on Top vs Mumbai in Ranji Semis

Left-arm spinner Parth Rekhade struck thrice in an over as Mumbai slipped to a precarious 188/7 in reply to Vidarbha's first innings total of 383, trailing by 195 runs at stumps on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy semi-final on Tuesday.

- Agencies

NAGPUR: Left-arm spinner Parth Rekhade struck thrice in an over as Mumbai slipped to a precarious 188/7 in reply to Vidarbha's first innings total of 383, trailing by 195 runs at stumps on Day 2 of their Ranji Trophy semi-final on Tuesday.

Mumbai opener Akash Anand was battling at one end, unbeaten on 67, with the last recognised batter, Tanush Kotian, on 5 at the other, as their title defence came under intense pressure from a disciplined and persistent Vidarbha side on their home ground at the VCA Stadium.

Mumbai were steady at 113/2 at one stage but Rekhade, playing only his second First-Class match, ripped open the Ranji champions' batting line-up, first with an innocuous delivery which claimed the prized scalp of Ajinkya Rahane in the 41st over.

Rahane's defensive prod had the ball rolling back to his stumps and knock off the bails, ending his stay for a 24-ball 18 which also had an outside edge flying between the wicketkeeper and the first slip.