Ranji Trophy: Handy knocks help Jharkhand weather reverses on first day

A brilliant knock by in-form opener Rameez Nimat (85) and his 91-run first wicket stand with Bhavik Thaker (23) steered hosts Jharkhand to a decent 233 for five on the opening day of their Group A Ranji tie against Vidarbha, here today.

At close, skipper Shahbaz Nadeem was batting on 37 and giving him copmpnay was Kumar Deobrat (9) at Keenan Stadium.

Elected to bat, Jharkhand suffered an early jolt when opener Subroto Ghosh returned without scoring after adjudged leg before off Shrikant Wagh.

Bhavik Thaker stepped in to partner Nimat, who was playing confidently at the other end, and they together stitched a 91-run first wicket partnership to rescue the team without any further damage.

Thaker, who was settled and facing the rival attack with ease, fell short of the crease while picking up a single and an accurate throw from Akshay Wakhare saw the bails uprooted.

Southpaw Saurabh Tiwary too did not last long as he spooned a catch to Sandip Singh at slip off Wakhare for ten.

Middle-order batsman Ishank Jaggi then paired with Nimat for 67-run for the fourth wicket before Wakhare struck again to have the opener leg before for 85.

Nimat struck nine fours to score 85 off 221-balls.

Jaggi notched up a scintillating 52 studded with five boundaries and two sixes off 98-delivery. He though misread a delivery off Wakhare and sneaked a catch to Singh.

For Vidarbha, Wakhare emerged as the most succeessful bowler, grabbing three wickets for 59 runs.