Andhra grab top spot after win over Vidarbha in Ranji Trophy

Andhra surged to the top of the Group A pecking order with an emphatic eight-wicket win over defending champions Vidarbha in their Ranji Trophy match  on Sunday. Set a target of 259, Andhra, who resumed their second innings at overnight 93 for one, completed the task in 56.1 overs, with Shaik Rasheed remaining unbeaten on a magnificent century. 

Rasheed slammed 132 off 144 balls, and was involved in a third wicket stand of 145 runs with skipper Ricky Bhui (64 not out off 92 balls), which sealed the game in favour of Andhra on the fourth and final evening.

Rasheed was batting on 50 when the stumps were drawn on the third day. After the early departure of first-innings top-scorer Abhishek Reddy, Rasheed found an able ally in wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat, as the two added 99 runs for the second wicket to lay the foundation for the chase.