Just two short weeks ago, Akshay Wadkar and five of his Vidarbha teammates celebrated a Duleep Trophy victory under the captaincy of none other than Rajat Patidar. Fast forward to this week, and the scene has dramatically shifted. Both Wadkar and Patidar have been diligently preparing at Nagpur’s Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha, but this time, they’re not teammates. They are set to lead rival squads in the highly anticipated Irani Cup.
This upcoming battle between Vidarbha, the current Ranji Trophy champions, and Patidar’s Rest of India squad promises to be more than just a regular match. It’s a true contest of familiar faces. In today’s bustling cricket landscape, with players frequently moving between domestic, India-A, and IPL teams, the distinction between colleagues and adversaries often blurs. This match embodies that dynamic perfectly.
What makes this particular encounter even more intriguing is the profound sense of familiarity shared among the players. When the action kicks off on Wednesday (weather permitting), both captains, Wadkar and Patidar, will be aiming to outmaneuver each other not just with their on-field prowess but also through astute tactical decisions.
The Rest of India squad sees this match as a prime opportunity for several players to make a strong case to the national selectors. Fast bowler Akash Deep, for instance, is making his much-awaited return to competitive cricket after an injury sidelined him during the tough England tour. Abhimanyu Easwaran, who spent time on the bench during that same series, will be desperate to pile on the runs. Ruturaj Gaikwad, having shaken off a recent mild fever, will be looking to deliver a memorable performance, and Ishan Kishan will be keen to firmly re-establish his position in the spotlight.
On the Vidarbha side, the focus will be squarely on their promising young talent. Yash Rathod, who seamlessly transitioned his excellent Ranji form into the Duleep Trophy, along with left-arm all-rounder Harsh Dubey, will both be eager to catch the eye of the India-A selectors. Meanwhile, Danish Malewar, a standout performer from last season, is ready to continue his impressive trajectory on this significant platform.
Vidarbha faces a challenging selection dilemma due to the departure of Karun Nair, who has moved back to Karnataka after three impactful seasons. Their decision—whether to include Aman Mokhade as a dedicated batter or leverage the all-round capabilities of Akshay Karnewar—will be pivotal in achieving the right balance for their team.
With all eyes on Nagpur, the stage is perfectly set for a truly hard-fought contest. This match isn’t just about winning; it’s a crucible where reputations will be forged, skills will be severely tested, and the pathways to future cricketing opportunities could very well be determined.
The Teams:
Vidarbha:
Akshay Wadkar (Captain & Wicketkeeper), Atharva Taide, Danish Malewar, Shivam Deshmukh, Yash Kadam, Yash Rathod (Vice-Captain), Harsh Dubey, Aman Mokhade, Akshay Karnewar, Darshan Nalkande, Aditya Thakare, Dhruv Shorey, Nachiket Bhute, Parth Rekhade, Yash Thakur, Praful Hinge.
Coach: Usman Ghani.
Rest of India:
Rajat Patidar (Captain), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Aryan Juyal (Wicketkeeper), Ruturaj Gaikwad (Vice-Captain), Yash Dhull, Shaik Rasheed, Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper), Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Saransh Jain.
Coach: Amay Khurasiya.