By Admin 
Left-handers turned out to be the flavour of the opening day of the Irani Cup clash between Ranji Trophy champion Vidarbha and the Rest of India at the V.C.A. Stadium in Jamtha on the outskirts of Nagpur.
It was Manav Suthar, among the most highly-rated left-arm spinners in the country, who drew first blood. Operating with a hint of drift and sharp dip, he dismissed Dhruv Shorey (missed the turn) and promising Danish Malewar (edge to the keeper off one that pitched in the channel and spun enough) tin the same over to peg Vidarbha back in the morning session. For a while, Rest of India seemed on top.
But Taide (118 n.o., 240b, 12×4, 1×6), the compact left-handed opener, and his clubmate Yash Rathod (91, 153b, 6×4, 1×6), another southpaw with a flair for strokeplay, soon altered the script. The duo stitched together a commanding 184-run stand for the third wicket, lifting Vidarbha into a position of strength.
Had it not been for their association, Vidarbha would have struggled to end the day at 280 for five at stumps on the opening day of the five-day fixture.
Their partnership, marked by calm assurance and an instinctive understanding of each other’s game, was an exhibition of fluent batting. Singles were stolen, gaps were pierced, and pressure was methodically transferred back to the bowlers as the track eased out under the afternoon sun.
Suthar, however, ensured that Rest of India didn’t lose complete control. With the second new ball not far away, he lured Rathod into a miscued lofted drive to break the partnership and inject some life into his side. And minutes before stumps, Akash Deep – the only other wicket-taker – snared an edge off captain Akshay Wadkar’s edge with the new ball.
Taide, the star of the day, enjoyed handsome luck in the morning session. He was bowled by Akash with the very first ball he bowled, only to be reprieved by a no-ball call on replay. Soon after, Ishan Kishan spilled a straightforward chance off the same bowler, minutes after pouching a sharp catch to dismiss Dhruv Shorey. Taide made full use of the reprieves, unfurling crisp drives and assured pulls en route to his century. A lofted six over long-on against Suthar brought up the landmark in style.
By the end of the day, it was evident that left-handers — with bat and ball — had left an indelible imprint on the contest, setting up an intriguing battle for the next four days.
Brief scores
Vidarbha (Atharva Taide 118 n.o., Yash Rathod 91; Manav Suthar 3/64, Akash Deep 2/35)