RoI hold all the aces after magnificent Vihari century

Ranji Trophy champions end second day on 245 for 6, still 85 runs in arrears

Vidarbha bowlers hit back after their opponents had reached 171 for 1 in the second session

For last five years, the competition has been slotted at the end of the season. which has meant that the Ranji-winning side has not lost form

The squad includes two players from the runner-up side Saurashtra: wicketkeeper Snell Patel and left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja

The Ranji Trophy champions ended day one on a rock-solid 289 for 2, while R Ashwin got through 25 overs and picked up the wicket of half-centurion Faiz Fazal

The offspinner has been included in the Karun Nair-led Rest of India side after Jadeja was ruled out with a side strain

The storied Irani Cup, once the curtain-raiser for the cricket season in India, has this year been consigned to a sideshow, as it coincides exactly with the first Test between India and Australia in Mohali

The stats in Irani Trophy matches since 2000 indicate bowlers have dominated the contests

Match home for Mumbai v Rest of India, Irani Trophy, October 6-10, 2007