Ranji Trophy: Satish, Wakhare rescue Vidarbha

NAGPUR: Rewards always come to those who are willing to take risks.Right from the time he took leadership role during his playing days, Chandrakant Pandit was never shied away from taking risks. It's no different when Pandit donned the coach's hat after hanging his boots almost two decades ago.On Wednesday, when Vidarbha were reeling at 72-5 on a wicket that was offering enough to pacers, Vidarbha head coach promoted Akshay Wakhare (34, 96b, 4x4) ahead of all-rounder Aditya Sarvate, who has two First Class hundreds. Wakhare has played many meaningful knocks for Vidarbha right from his junior days and has a decent technique.The tall right-hander played the role of second fiddle perfectly to his senior partner Ganesh Satish (88 not out, 169b, 12x4) as Vidarbha ended the Day 1 at reasonably decent position. When the bad light stopped the play, Vidarbha were 196-6 in their first innings.Satish again showed his value in crisis situation. The elegant right-hander cherished these challenging situations and generally thrives on them. If his record-breaking knock against Andhra in the first match was good, this unbeaten 88 at Jamtha was even better.Vidarbha looked down and out when the Punjab pace trio of Baltej Singh, Sandeep Sharma and Arshdeep Singh ran through the Vidarbha batting in the first session after winning the toss. It's not something Vidarbha are used to in the last two years. However, they always find someone to stand in crisis. Satish brought calmness to the Vidarbha dressing room with some resolute batting.Satish went about his job in a professional manner. He was judging the line better. His footwork was spot on and shot making was of the highest quality. Satish' driving on the off side, both off pacers and spinners, was a treat to watch. Two shots against leg-spinner Mayank Markande stood out when he reached to the pitch of the ball and pierced the heavily-packed off side field with precision.If Satish was the star for Vidarbha, Baltej put Punjab ahead in the first session with some fine exhibition of swing and seam bowling. In his eight-year career, Baltej has played only nine matches. However, if he bowl like this, Baltej would definitely get more opportunities to prove himself.First, the tall seamer removed opener Akshay Kolhar, who was making a comeback, with an incoming delivery that kissed his bat, struck his pad and popped up. Baltej ran all the way from his bowling mark to complete the catch. Then came the big one of Wasim Jaffer. After being driven away for four through the mid-on, Baltej pitched the ball further up and beat Jaffer with swing to shatter his middle stump.Till he was at the crease, skipper Faiz Fazal (34, 70b, 5x4) batted beautifully and looked assured in challenging conditions. When he looked set for yet another long innings, Sandeep's full length ball saw Faiz's downfall. Last match centurion Mohit Kale chased a harmless delivery which was way outside off to give an easy catch to Punjab slip cordon.When Akshay Wadkar became Baltej's third victim in the first session, it looked gloomy for Vidarbha. However, Satish and Wakhare brought Vidarbha innings on track with some disciplined batting.SCOREBOARDVidarbha (1st Innings): Faiz Fazal c Mandeep b Sandeep Sharma 34, Akshay Kolhar c & b Baltej Singh 0, Wasim Jaffer b Baltej Singh 4, Ganesh Satish batting 88, Mohit Kale c sub (R Marwaha) b Arshdeep Singh 1, Akshay Wadkar c Malhotra b Baltej Singh 8, Akshay Wakhare c Sanvir b Sandeep Sharma, Aditya Sarvate batting 9.Extras: (lb 17, nb 1) 18.Total: (6 wickets, 67 Overs) 196.Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-12, 3-61, 4-62, 5-72, 6-166.Bowling: Sandeep Sharma 22-1-72-2, Baltej Singh 16-5-32-3, Arshdeep Singh 13-4-31-1, Sanvir Singh 6-1-17-0, Mayank Markande 10-1-27-0.