Defending champions Vidarbha scored 239/6 on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match against Kerala at Jamtha on Tuesday.
Half-centuries by veterans Wasim Jaffer and Ganesh Satish propped up the hosts after they lost openers Aniruddha Choudhary (0) and Faiz Fazal (10) with only 23 on the board.
M D Nidheesh accounted for Fazal, while his new-ball partner N P Basil dismissed Choudhary.
After two wickets, Jaffer and Satish added 104 runs for the third wicket. Off-spinner Vinoop Manoharan broke the stand by removing Jaffer. The right-hander hit seven fours and a six in his 149-ball knock.
Nidheesh provided a big breakthrough for Kerala as he forced Satish to nick one to Mohammed Azharuddeen behind the stumps. Satish’s 142-ball knock was laced with nine fours.
Vidarbha were 166/4 when rain stopped play briefly. On resumption, the hosts lost Akshay Wadkar (8) and S K Wath (43) as they slipped to 198/6.
However, Aditya Sarwate (22 batting) and Akshay Karnewar *24 batting) made sure Kerala did not enjoy any more success.
Brief scores: Vidarbha 239/6 in 84 overs (Ganesh Satish 58, Wasim Jaffer 57, S K Wath 43; M D Nidheesh 3/53, N P Basil 2/39) vs Kerala.
