Vidarbha edged ahead in the Ranji Trophy final against Kerala by eking out a 37-run first-innings lead on day three on Friday.  Kerala skipper Sachin Baby struck a valiant 98 and Aditya Sarwate fought hard for his 185-ball 79 but Vidarbha held their nerve to gain a vital lead after dismissing the visitors for 342. Vidarbha had made 379 batting first.

Sarwate fell in the first session while batting mainstays, Salman Nizar (21) and Mohammed Azharuddeen (34), could not convert their good starts into big scores as Dubey, Darshan Nalkande (3-52) and Parth Rekhade (3-65) returned three-wicket hauls each. Sarwate was the first to depart, dismissed by Dubey. He then dismissed Nizar to get to a Ranji Trophy season record-equalling 68th dismissal. The spinner, however, had to toil all day for his third victim, which finally came when he trapped MD Nidheesh (1) leg-before to set the record.