Nagpur: A 164-run opening stand between Amit Deshpande (86) and P Vivek (74) placed hosts Vidarbha in a comfortable position at 330 for six against Services on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy match at the VCA Ground on Tuesday. Electing to bat, Vidarbha began strongly and at lunch was 131 without loss. The post lunch session saw the home side make 237 for three at tea with both the openers back in the pavilion. However, middle order batsmen Alind Naidu (43) and Nitin Gawande (63) with some determined batting coupled with some unimaginative bowling helped Vidarbha to a position of safety. Services' medium pacer Sudhakar Ghag (2 for 61) and left arm spinner Arun Sharma (2 for 107) shared the wickets for the visitors.

Tags: cricket, nagpur, amit deshpande, p vivek, vidarbha, services, ranji trophy, vca ground, alind naidu, nitin gawande, sudhakar ghag, arun sharma.