As debutant skipper Rajesh Chauhan put MP in to bat after winning the toss at the VCA Stadium, they lost two early wickets (CP Sahu and Amay Khurasia). That made Vidarbha's morale scale unforeseen heights.However, opener JP Yadav (83, 8x4) and Devendra Bundela (72, 5x4) damaged a joyous mood in the hosts' camp adding 140 runs for the third wicket.Then followed a panicky situation as six MP batsmen succumbed to faulty running between the wickets.

In the process, MP, who were 172 for 3 in the 42nd over, were restricted to 214.Rash batting marred the Vidarbha's reply. Opener Paresh Sutane (23) and one-down Ulhas Gandhe (23) laid a solid foundation with a 51-run stand off just 61 balls for the second wicket. As the partnership seemed going great guns, hastyUlhas' silly shot saw him return to the pavilion. After two more overs, Sutane lost his patience and his wicket as well. Both wickets went to JP Yadav, who claimed another in his second spell.Harvinder Singh Sodhi (2/23), Sanjay Pande (3/34) and Rajesh Chauhan (2/14) wound up the Vidarbha innings at a paltry 115 in 33.2 overs.The highest run-getter for the hosts were extras (26).

Brief Scores: MP 214 (JP Yadav 83, Devendra Bundela 72) bt Vidarbha 115 (HS Sodhi 2-23, JP Yadav 3-22)

Parminder to lead

CHANDIGARH: Parminder Singh will lead Punjab against Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow in the Ranji Trophy Championship at the Nahar Singh Stadium, Faridabad. This was announced by HCA secretary Ranbir Singh.

The other members of the team are: Amarjeet Kaypee, Jatinder Singh, Rajesh Puri, Ajay Ratra (WK), Jasbir Singh, Pankaj Thakur, Sanjay Jakhar, Sanjay Dalal, Sonu Sharma, Manish, Vineet Jain, Sanjay Balwan, Rajesh Bura and Surinder Katraria.