Haryana take 2-run first-innings lead over Vidarbha

Abhimanyu Khod's defiance helped Haryana gain a slender but all-important first-innings lead over Vidarbha in their weather-hit Group B Ranji Trophy cricket match here today.
Khod remained undefeated on 38 off 88 balls as the hosts managed to eke out a crucial 2-run lead at the CH Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium in Lahli.
At stumps on the third and penultimate day, Vidarbha were struggling at 23 for the loss of two wickets in their second innings, taking their lead to 21 runs with eight wickets remaining and a day's play left.
Replying to Vidarbha's first-innings total of 154 all out, the hosts committed a harakiri after resuming at overnight 60 for two. They were soon starring down the barrel at 128 for nine, still 26 runs adrift of Vidarbha's first-innings total.

However, Khod showed tremendous composure, guiding the hosts past Vidarbha's total with the help of four boundaries.
For Vidarbha, Ravikumar Thakur returned figures of 4/38, while there were three wickets for Swapnil Bandiwar. Shrikant Wagh picked up two wickets.

Brief scores:
Vidarbha: 154 and 23/2 in 9 overs
Haryana 1st innings: 156 all out in 61.5 overs (Abhimanyu Khod 38 not out, Nitin Saini 35, Sunny Singh 30; Ravikumar Thakur 4/38, Swapnil Bandiwar 3/65, Shrikant Wagh 2/39).