Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Andhra strong favourite for outright win against Vidarbha, needs 166 runs on final day

The race for the quarterfinals tightened in Group ‘A’ as Andhra staked a claim for the top spot, threatening to dethrone holder Vidarbha during their Ranji Trophy fixture at the Anantapur Cricket Ground on Saturday.

At stumps, Andhra needed 166 runs with nine wickets in hand, chasing a 259-run target, with K.S. Bharat and Shaik Rasheed holding firm. The duo had an unbeaten 78-run stand in the final session of the third day after the host lost Abhishek Reddy early in the chase.

Rasheed was particularly impressive, showcasing his knack for timing the ball to the boundary rather than using power during his half-century.

Even though Nachiket Bhute had Abhishek caught at gully, Vidarbha couldn’t put enough pressure against Bharat and Rasheed, who managed to knock the ball around with ease on a placid track. 

But more importantly, Vidarbha would rue the missed chance to bat Andhra out of the contest after being bowled out for 191 inside 56 overs in two sessions. Yash Rathod once again top-scored with 56, with Aman Mokhade (51) and R. Samarth (47) lending support.

K. Saiteja led Andhra’s bowling effort with a disciplined four-wicket haul. The pacer breached nightwatchman Aditya Thakare’s defence in the third over of the morning before Nitish Kumar Reddy tightened the noose with a double-wicket over, dismissing Atharva Taide and Danish Malewar for ducks.

At 10 for three, Samarth and Mokhade steadied the innings, negotiating a testing spell from Saiteja, Nitish, and K. Raju. Despite a few close calls, the pair added 92 off 128 balls for the fourth wicket, driving fluently down the ‘V’ as Andhra pacers pitched it full in search of swing.

Left-arm spinner Saurabh Kumar then broke the stand, cleaning up Mokhade soon after his fifty with a skiddy, low delivery.

After lunch, Saiteja returned to remove Samarth–bowled through his defence–and trap Rohit Binkar in front. Off-spinner Tripurana Vijay, who caught Darshan Nalkande at midwicket off Saiteja, also had Harsh Dubey caught while driving.

Rathod farmed the strike, striking seven fours and a six to push the lead past 250. Bhute fell next, beaten by Saurabh’s skid and lack of turn, stumped charging down the track.

With little support left, Rathod was forced to attack. Raju kept him quiet outside off-stump before the left-hander holed out to deep point as Vidarbha could only manage a 258-run lead.

Published on Jan 24, 2026