NAGPUR: Debutant Nachiket Bhute (3-29) and Aditya Sarwate (3-18), and Jitesh Sharma attacking 29-ball 48 helped Vidarbha record a seven-wicket win over Sikkim in a Group B match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Vidarbha bundled out Sikkim for 97 and then knocked off the target in just 17.2 overs. Ganesh Satish (25*) and skipper Akshay Wadkar (22*) took their side home after Jitesh (48; 29b, 5x4, 4x6), who opened in this game, gave a flying start.
Jitesh usually bats between No.5 to No.7 position but since Vidarbha rested Atharva Taide, Jitesh was asked to open. Jitesh was right on the money from the word go.
Vidarbha seasoned opener Faiz Fazal and No.3 R Sanjay, who replaced Taide, both got out without opening an account. Though Vidarbha were 4 for 2 wickets, Jitesh played his shots with command.
After Jitesh's departure, Wadkar and Satish both steered well and hit occasional boundaries to take their side home.
Earlier, allrounder Bhute did well with the new ball. Bhute got a chance to play as India speedster opted to sit out against minnows like Sikkim.
After pacers made merry, Sarwate also joined the party and made the new ball come in sharply. Pacer Lalit Yadav (2-15) continued his economical show in the tournament.
BRIEF SCORES: Sikkim 97 all out in 26.5 overs (Sumit Singh 53; N Bhute 3-29, A Sarwate 3-18) lost to Vidarbha 103 for 3 in 17.2 overs (J Sharma 48, Ganesh Satish 25*, Akshay Wadkar 22*) by 7 wickets
