Ranji Trophy 2026/27: Dhruv Shorey’s 168 puts Vidarbha on course for win over Goa

Dhruv Shorey (168, 291b, 13x4, 1x6) notched a patient century to ensure that Vidarbha moved closer to victory on the third day of its Ranji Trophy Elite Group A match against Goa at the VCA Jamtha Stadium here in Nagpur.

Shorey’s ton was the backbone of a composed batting effort from the host that saw it establish a 222-run lead before striking with ball in the final session. The visitor now trails by 181 runs with nine wickets in hand.

The host entered the day needing three runs to wipe off the first-innings deficit, and it did almost immediately as Danish Malewar (56, 108b, 6x4) edged the fifth ball of the day between the keeper and first slip to propel it into the lead.

Malewar’s stint at the crease would not last much longer, as he attempted to pull a short ball from Ruthvik Naik (five for 70) and feathered it behind for the Goan quick’s second wicket of the match.

Ranji Trophy Round 3, Day 3 - As it happened

With grey clouds overhead and the new ball in hand, Goa may have seen an opportunity to limit Vidarbha’s lead, but those hopes were shut down by another mature partnership between Shorey and captain Akshay Wadkar.

The duo ticked away through the first session, calmly seeing off the new ball and putting away errant deliveries to add 101 runs through the first session. Shorey, returning overnight on 63 not out, looked in supreme control as he worked the ball around.

He eventually reached his first century of the season with a single against Darshan Misal to sign off another dominant session for the host.

After the Lunch break, the pair looked to up the ante further, unfurling the sweep and reverse-sweep to the Goan spinners as it looked to push its lead further. Wadkar notched his fifty from 115 balls, but was forced to retire hurt soon after on 53.

His departure brought Harsh Dubey to the crease, but before he could get going in earnest, the threat of rain nearly brought play to a halt. With grey skies and wind accumulating overhead, the players headed off and the umpires gestured for covers. However, before they could leave fully, the umpires called them back on again.

That delay in play possibly boosted Vidarbha’s urgency, as Dubey belted Misal for a straight six in the over after resumption. However, his enterprise would prove his downfall as he sliced Ruthvik into substitute ‘keeper Rajsekhar Harikanth’s gloves soon after. Harikanth and Ruthvik would combine to account for Nachiket Bhute as well, soon after Shorey had launched him for a maximum over mid-off.

Parth Rekhade followed them back to the dugout courtesy of an athletic catch from Suyash Prabudessai at long-off.

Wadkar returned to the crease to push his 138-run stand with Shorey up to 150, but when the latter was castled a minute before the Tea break, the Vidarbha captain opted to follow him back to the dugout as well.

The declaration left Goa facing a difficult final session against the new ball in windy conditions, and Prabhudessai soon found himself back in the dugout after being trapped in front by Bhute.

With little more than a session left, Goa may have feared the worst at that point, but Manthan Khutkar and Abhinav Tejrana resiliently fought out the remainder of the day, stringing together a 113-ball partnership.

The duo rode their luck at times, with deflections not going to hand and edges beaten on several occasions, but their application ensured that Goa enters the final day with some chance of salvaging this game.

Published on Oct 28, 2026

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