The Rajasthan cricket team succumbed to a 221-run defeat against Vidarbha in the sixth round of the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Elite Group B at the K L Saini Stadium in Jaipur, on Sunday.
Despite an inspired bowling effort in the first innings, Rajasthan faltered with the bat on the decisive fourth day, marking their first loss of the campaign.
Asked to field first, Rajasthan, led by Khaleel Ahmed’s 5/37, skittled out Vidarbha for 165. Manav Suthar (3/40) and Ajay Singh (2/24) also chipped in with wickets.
Rajasthan’s response, however, was shaky at 89/5 before captain Mahipal Lomror and Samarpit Joshi orchestrated a recovery. The pair stitched an 89-run stand for the sixth wicket.
Lomror contributed with a well-compiled 78 following his triple-century heroics in the previous round against Uttarakhand. Joshi (72) held the innings together as Rajasthan eked out a 100-run lead, closing at 265.
Vidarbha’s second innings, however, flipped the script. Rajasthan seemed on course for victory with Vidarbha reeling at 144/5 but Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar (139), Yash Rathod (98), and Nachiket Bhute (87) produced a stunning counterattack. Their efforts powered Vidarbha to 428/9, setting Rajasthan a daunting target of 329. Ajay Singh led the Rajasthan bowling, claiming 5/104.
Rajasthan’s chase never gained momentum as Harsh Dubey (5/51) sliced through the batting lineup. Zubair Ali’s 22 was the top score in a 107-run effort, leaving Rajasthan 221 runs short of the target.
Vidarbha’s victory solidified their position atop the Elite Group B table while Rajasthan, currently fourth, will look to bounce back against Andhra in their next match, starting January 30 at Vizianagaram.
Rajasthan vs Vidarbha Ranji Trophy brief scores: Vidarbha 165 (Mahipal Lomror 78; Khaleel Ahmed 5/37) and 428/9d (Akshay Wadkar 139; Ajay Singh 5/104) beat Rajasthan 265 (Mahipal Lomror 78; Harsh Dubey 5/81) and 107 (Zubair Ali 22; Harsh Dubey 5/51) by 221 runs.
