Ravikumar Samarth made a splendid 143 and shared a 136-run stand for the eighth wicket with Rajneesh Gurbani to ensure a a 45-run first-innings lead for Vidarbha over J&K on the second day of their four-day Ranji Trophy match in Srinagar on Monday.

After having dismissed J&K for 260 on Day 1, Vidarbha were in big trouble, having lost seven wickets for 133 runs, but Samarth, who opened the innings, batted like a champion. He found an able partner in Gurbani. Samarth's 143 came off 202 balls, including 17 boundaries and a six. Gurbani, returning to the Vidarbha side after two seasons, remained unbeaten on 64 off 104 balls, hitting 10 boundaries and a six. Vidarbha's first innings ended at 305.
Nachiket Bhute, who had taken three wickets in the first innings, dismissed three J&K batters to leave them tottering on 7/4 in their second innings. J&K trail Vidarbha by 38 runs with two days remaining in the match