Rajasthan take top spot in Central Zone league

Rajasthan took top position in the Central Zone Ranji Trophy league, after collecting five first innings points in a drawn encounter with Vidarbha at the VCA ground in Nagpur on Sunday. The highlight of the final day's play was Vidarbha keeper Amit Deshpande's second century of the match. Rajasthan finished with 23 points, two clear of second placed Railways. Vidarbha which lost their first three games, managed to avoid a barren slate with the three points that accrued from the contest.

Having already taken a 74 run first innings lead, Rajasthan entered the final day at 132/2 in their second knock. Opener Nikhil Doru, unbeaten on 54 overnight, fell for 71 to give off spinner Pritam Gandhe his third wicket. Medium pacer Abhijeet Piprode cut through the middle order for three wickets, including that of skipper Gagan Khoda for just ten. AS Jain compiled a laborious 38 while Saket Bhatia struck a brisk unbeaten 26. Rajasthan declared at 234/7, setting their opponents a victory target of 309 in a minimum of 55 overs.

After AS Manohar fell for six, Deshpande and Shailesh Harbade added 156 for the second wicket, of which the latter's contribution was 42. Deshpande marched to an unbeaten 156 (173 balls, 18 fours, 3 sixes) as Vidarbha closed out the game at 220/2.