The opening day of the Vijay Merchant Trophy Under-16 match between Uttar Pradesh and Vidarbha at the KSCA Ground No. 2 in Kanpur was a tale of fightbacks and disciplined bowling. Uttar Pradesh, asked to bat first, were bundled out for 207, before Vidarbha navigated a tricky final session to reach 52 for 2 at stumps.
Uttar Pradesh's Innings: Partnerships and Collapse
Electing to field, Vidarbha's bowlers put in a collective, disciplined effort. The UP innings was built around two key partnerships but lacked substantial contributions from the middle order. Opener Hitesh Kumar anchored the top with a solid 62 runs off 117 deliveries, hitting 10 fours and a six. He first stitched a 50-run stand for the second wicket with Arush Gupta (25) and later added 37 runs with Aalok Kumar for the third wicket.
At 103 for 2, UP seemed well-set. However, the dismissal of Aalok Kumar triggered a dramatic collapse. The team lost six wickets for a mere 34 runs, sliding from a position of strength to deep trouble at 137 for 8.
The lower order provided some resistance. Darsh Yadav (42) and Krishna Yadav (24) put on a crucial 51-run partnership for the ninth wicket, which turned out to be the highest of the innings. Veer Chikhalkar broke the stand by dismissing Krishna, and Darsh was the last batter to fall after facing 93 balls. For Vidarbha, the wickets were shared evenly, with Om Dhotre, Kush Sharma, Veer Chikhalkar, and Manav S. Wakode picking up two wickets each.
Vidarbha's Steady Response After Early Jitters
Vidarbha's reply did not start smoothly. UP medium-pacer Aarav Tyagi struck twice early, removing opener Arjun Wankhede for a duck and Kush Sharma for 4, reducing Vidarbha to a precarious 11 for 2.
Facing a potential crisis, Malhar Dhurad and Manav Wakode dug in to stage a recovery. The pair batted with caution and determination, forging an unbroken 41-run partnership for the third wicket off 93 balls. Their resolute stand ensured Vidarbha ended the day without further damage, finishing at 52 for 2.
Day 2 Outlook
With Dhurad and Wakode set at the crease, Vidarbha will aim to build a significant first-innings lead on the second day. They trail by 155 runs and will look to bat Uttar Pradesh out of the game. The opening day was firmly in the balance, showcasing promising talent from both sides in this national Under-16 championship fixture.
