Vidarbha has once again etched its name in Irani Cup history, extending their unbeaten streak in the prestigious tournament. They clinched their third title with a commanding 93-run victory over a resilient Rest of India squad in a nail-biting final held at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.
The chase was daunting, with Rest of India needing a formidable 361 runs for victory. Despite a valiant effort, they were eventually bowled out for 267 on the final afternoon of the five-day encounter. While Yash Dhull led the scoring with a solid 92 and Manav Suthar added a gritty 56, Vidarbha’s bowling attack proved too strong, consistently applying pressure throughout the match.
Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey was the pick of the bowlers, bagging an impressive 4 wickets for 73 runs, while pace sensation Yash Thakur chipped in with 2 wickets for 47 runs, showcasing their combined might.
Rest of India started the final morning in a precarious position at 133 for six. However, a crucial 104-run partnership between Dhull and Suthar for the seventh wicket reignited hopes. Their defiance was eventually broken when Thakur, with a sharp delivery, found Dhull’s edge, leading to a brilliant catch by Atharva Taide at deep third man.
The intensity of the match boiled over momentarily following Dhull’s dismissal, leading to a heated exchange between Thakur and Dhull on the field. Umpires and fellow Vidarbha players quickly intervened to diffuse the tension, but sanctions from the match referee are anticipated for the players involved.
Thakur didn’t let the incident deter him, striking almost immediately to dismiss Akash Deep. Soon after, Dubey delivered the final blows, wrapping up the innings and sealing a memorable victory for Vidarbha.
The architect of Vidarbha’s triumph, Atharva Taide, was deservedly named Player of the Match for his outstanding all-round contribution. His magnificent 143 in the first innings set a crucial foundation, and his sharp catch to remove Dhull was a turning point. Reflecting on his performance, Taide shared, “The last couple of seasons weren’t great for me, but I prepared very well this season. I wanted to make an impact for my team, and starting the season with the Irani Cup win is truly special. This victory is for VCA, and for everyone – my coach, selector, and everyone who backed me throughout the season.”
Rest of India’s captain, Rajat Patidar, graciously conceded, “Vidarbha played exceptionally well and were truly deserving winners. Had we applied ourselves better and assessed the conditions more accurately, I believe we could have come much closer to their total.”
Adding to the game’s narratives, national selectors would have closely observed the performance and fitness of Akash Deep. Despite recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during the Oval Test against England, he bowled an impressive 29 overs across both innings, claiming three wickets.
Conversely, Abhimanyu Easwaran continued to struggle in critical knock-out matches. Despite scoring a half-century in the first innings, he was twice dismissed in a similar manner, trapped plumb in front by left-arm spinners.
Brief Scores:
Vidarbha: 342 & 232
Rest of India: 214 & 267 (chasing 361)
(Yash Dhull 92, Manav Suthar 56; Harsh Dubey 4/73, Yash Thakur 2/47)