Irani Cup Day 4: Hanuma Vihari 180, Rahane 87 leave Vidarbha with tricky chase

Hanuma Vihari became the first batsman in history to score three successive Irani Cup hundreds as Rest of India set Vidarbha 280 runs to win. Hanuma, who had scored 114 in the first innings, hit 180 in the second to become only the second batsman after Shikhar Dhawan to score twin hundreds in an Irani Cup match.

Hanuma Vihari led a spirited batting effort for Rest of India after Vidarbha had eked out a crucial 95-run first innings lead. RoI were jolted twice early in their second innings when Anmolpreet Singh and Mayank Agarwal fell late on the third day.

However, Vihari joined forces with Ajinkya Rahane as the pair added 229 for the third wicket. Rahane was in focus because he has gone without a first-class hundred since August 2017. He had struggled in England and did not have the kind of impact the team would have wanted him to in Australia. Therefore, that partnership with Vihari was pleasing for the Indian team management.

Rahane fell for 87, short of a well deserved hundred. Shreyas Iyer came out all guns blazing and smashed an unbeaten 61 off 52 balls. Rest of India declared with Hanuma Vihari on 180 not out.

Back to back tons for @Hanumavihari. Getting the run registers ringing and how! #IraniCup #ROIvVID pic.twitter.com/Q9pjezMlTd BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) February 15, 2019

Chasing 280, Vidarbha lost skipper Faiz Fazal to Ankit Rajpoot in the first over of the innings. RR Sanjay and Atharwa Taide saw the Ranji Trophy champions through to stumps without any further damage. They were 37 for 1 at close of play on the penultimate day.

The last day produces to promise more enthralling action as Vidarbha face a tricky chase against a top-quality bowling attack.