Irani Trophy 2018, Day 2, Review: Jaffer masterclass puts Vidarbha on top

Team Vidarbha continued their dominance in the ongoing Irani Trophy encounter on the second day of the fixture as well. The Irani Trophy, one of the most celebrated events of the Indian domestic cricket calendar, sees the Ranji Trophy champions face off against the Rest of India. This season, the Vidarbha side, by virtue of their first ever Ranji Trophy win, entered the Irani Trophy.

And now, as the things stand out at the end of day 2, they are looking in firm command of the proceedings. The track in Nagpur seems to have very little on offer for the bowlers. No wonder why only one wicket fell on the second day’s play. The ROI bowlers, including the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin and Shahbaz Nadeem, toiled hard but with no great output.

This dominant batting performance from the Vidarbhan camp came after an equally dominant show on the first day of the match. They had finished with a total of 289/2 by the end of the first day. Coming to day two, Wasim Jaffer resumed the proceedings for the Ranji champions with an overnight unbeaten ton to his name. Jaffer had slammed his 53rd First Class century earlier in the game.

Satish-Jaffer add a marathon stand

He was accompanied by Ganesh Satish as the play resumed on the second day. Both Satish and Jaffer continued batting with ease on the day as the opposition bowlers found no assistance. The ROI skipper, Karun Nair, kept on shuffling his bowlers hoping to get a breakthrough.

The first session saw Jaffer cross his 150-run mark. In the second session, Wasim Jaffer rallied along to register his 8th First Class double ton. The Vidarbha dressing room stood in awe to applaud the legend of Indian domestic cricket. Soon after, Ganesh Satish also reached his century with a boundary.

Finally a breakthrough for ROI, but fortunes stay the same

The two batsmen added 289 runs for the third wicket before Siddarth Kaul dismissed Satish on 120 (180). It was a short of a length delivery outside off that took a thick outside edge off the bat of Ganesh Satish. The keeper completed the catch with ease.

ROI felt they had their chance to get back in the game, but it was not to be. Akshay Wankhade was the new man in. While Wankhade played free shots, Jaffer rallied on with class. His reign continued as he crossed the 250-mark and Vidarbha’s total surpassed the 550-run mark.

By the end of the day, Jaffer remained unbeaten on 285 that came off 425 deliveries with 34 boundaries and a six. Meanwhile, Wankhade finished the day with an unbeaten 44 (75) as Vidarbha finished with 598/3 by the end of day 2.

Brief Scores:

Vidarbha 598/3 (Jaffer 285*, Satish 120, Kaul 1/80, Ashwin 1/123)

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