NEW DELHI: Opener Atharva Taide made full use of his opportunities, scoring a composed unbeaten century to steer Vidarbha to 280/5 on the opening day of the Irani Cup clash against Rest of India (ROI) on Wednesday. Taide remained unbeaten on 118 off 240 balls, while Yash Rathod played a crucial supporting role with 91 off 153 balls (6 fours, 1 six), the pair rescuing their side after an early collapse.The Ranji Trophy champions got off to a brisk start, racing to 40 without loss in seven overs, but quickly lost momentum as three wickets fell in quick succession, leaving them 80/3. Taide survived a huge scare early on when he was bowled by Akash Deep on the first ball of the second over, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball. The pacer soon struck, removing Aman Mokhade (19) caught behind after a successful review.Taide continued to live dangerously — surviving a possible inside edge and a near-catch at slip — as ROI kept the pressure on. Dhruv Shorey was dropped by wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan but was dismissed soon after by spinner Manav Suthar, who also removed Danish Malewar for a duck two balls later, plunging Vidarbha into trouble.It was then that Taide and Rathod stitched together a vital 184-run partnership for the fourth wicket, steadying the innings and frustrating the ROI bowlers. Just as Vidarbha looked in control, Rathod fell nine short of a century, holing out to Gurnoor Brar while attempting a big shot off Suthar in the 74th over.Captain Akshay Wadkar tried to build on the platform with Taide, but their stand lasted just 11 runs before another breakthrough left Vidarbha at 275/5. At stumps, Taide held firm, anchoring the innings with a determined knock that gave Vidarbha a fighting total after a shaky start.
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