Kanpur: The Ranji Trophy tie between Vidarbha and Uttar Pradesh is heading for an exciting finish as UP need six wickets, while hosts are just 110 runs short of victory at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.After both teams scored 237 in their respective first innings, Uttar Pradesh were bowled out for 200 in their second innings, setting Vidarbha a target of 201. In reply, the hosts reached 91 for 4 at stumps on Day 3, needing 110 more runs to win the match and retain their top position in the pool.The Jamtha wicket showed variable bounce and turn, making the chase far from straightforward. Vidarbha had earlier faced a similar tricky situation in the first innings while fighting to gain parity, and the outcome now hinges on how the UP bowlers exploit the conditions on the final day.Resuming the morning at 75 for 2, UP lost overnight batters skipper Aryan Juyal and Aaditya in quick succession to slip to 111 for 4. Dhruv Chand Jurel then steadied the innings with a composed 40 off 90 balls, forging partnerships of 30 and 27 runs with Aaditya and Siddharth Yadav (16). Shivam Sharma remained unbeaten on 32, striking three fours and a six in a patient 97-ball knock.Chasing 201, Vidarbha began steadily, with openers Satyam Bhoyar and A. Mokhade adding 41 runs. Bhoyar scored 13 before falling to Shivam Sharma, who then struck twice more to remove Rohit (0) and Samarth (11). Mokhade held firm with an unbeaten 50 as Vidarbha closed the day at 91 for 4.
