Ranji Trophy: Rasheed’s unbeaten ton scripts Andhra’s emphatic win over Vidarbha

Andhra dethroned Vidarbha to move to the top of the Group ‘A’ table with 28 points after registering a comfortable eight-wicket win in its sixth-round Ranji Trophy fixture here on Sunday.

Shaik Rasheed anchored the 259-run chase with an unbeaten 132, laced with 20 fours, redeeming himself after a first-innings duck. Captain Ricky Bhui (64 not out) and K.S. Bharat (43) played supporting roles as the host wrapped up the chase inside the first session on the final day.

Resuming on 93 for one, Andhra made full use of morning conditions, facing a 25-over-old ball on a placid pitch.

Rasheed began with a crisp back-foot punch through cover in the opening over — an early glimpse of what would follow for the Vidarbha bowlers and fielders through the session.

Bharat looked proactive but perished pulling Nachiket Bhute straight to deep fine leg.

Any faint hopes Vidarbha harboured were quickly erased as Bhui and Rasheed stitched together an attacking 145-run stand off 163 balls to seal the contest.

Bhui, coming off a lean run in red-ball cricket — including an 11-ball duck in the first innings here — found his rhythm early, unfurling a wristy flick for four.

With spinners Harsh Dubey and Parth Rekhade unable to extract turn, the Andhra captain charged down the track to hit over the infield.

While Bhui used a high backlift to take on the bowlers, Rasheed relied on timing and placement. Two contrasting techniques complemented each other, knocking Vidarbha out of the contest over by over.

After Bhui brought up his first Ranji Trophy fifty of the season, Rasheed cut Bhute for four to register his third century of the campaign. Fittingly, the 21-year-old sealed the win with a back-foot punch for the winning boundary, arms aloft in celebration.

The scores:

Vidarbha — 1st innings: 295.

Andhra — 1st innings: 228.

Vidarbha — 2nd innings: 191.

Andhra – 2nd innings: Abhishek Reddy c Mokhade b Bhute 11, K.S. Bharat c Thakare b Bhute 43, Shaik Rasheed (not out) 132, Ricky Bhui (not out) 64; Extras (w-1, lb-4, b-4): 9; Total (for two wkts. in 56.1 overs): 259.

Fall of wickets: 1-15, 114-2.

Vidarbha bowling: Nalkande 6.4-0-28-0, Bhute 16-2-83-2, Thakare 9-0-35-0, Dubey 16.1-3-67-0, Rekhade 8.2-0-38-0.

PoM: Shaik Rasheed.