In a commanding display at Nagpur on Sunday, Vidarbha secured their third Irani Cup title, defeating Rest of India (ROI) by 93 runs. Remarkably, Vidarbha has now won every Irani Cup final they’ve contested – three for three.
A Rocky Start, but Taide Anchors the Innings
Vidarbha, after winning the toss and electing to bat, had a shaky beginning – reduced to 80 for 3. But Atharva Taide steadied the ship with a vintage innings. He stitched together a 184-run stand with Yash Rathod (who scored 91 off 153 balls, including six fours and one six). Taide’s own innings was monumental: 143 runs off 283 deliveries, laced with 15 boundaries and a six.
The rest of the top order couldn’t quite fire, but Vidarbha pushed on to a total of 342 all out in 101.4 overs.
ROI pulled back with the ball through disciplined spells from Akash Deep (3/51) and Manav Suthar (3/74), while Saransh Jain and Anshul Kamboj chipped in with crucial wickets.
ROI’s Struggle in the First Innings
In reply, ROI got starts through Abhimanyu Easwaran (52 from 112 balls, six fours) and skipper Rajat Patidar (66 from 125 balls, ten fours). But the middle order crumbled, and after a modest opening stand of 52 with Aryan Juyal (23), the innings folded for 214 runs.
Vidarbha’s attack was led by Yash Thakur (4/66), Parth Rekhade (2/24), and Harsh Dubey (2/58) – which gave Vidarbha a cushion of 128 runs going into the second innings.
Defending the Lead
In their second knock, Vidarbha managed 232 all out, with decent contributions from Aman Mokhade (37), Akshay Wadkar (36), and Darshan Nalkande (35) – the only ROI batters to cross 30 in that innings. Still, the target set was 361.
ROI’s chase fell to pieces early, slipping to 80 for 5. Ishan Kishan (35 off 65 balls) offered hope but couldn’t convert it into a big score. Yash Dhull tried valiantly, making 92 off 117 balls, and put together a 53-run partnership with Saransh Jain (29 off 36) and then a 104-run stand with *Manav Suthar (56 off 113)**. But the early collapse proved fatal.
Harsh Dubey (4/73) struck two crucial blow – taking the wickets of Easwaran and Kishan – while Yash Thakur and Aditya Thakare added two wickets apiece to finish off ROI’s hopes.
Taide’s glorious century earned him the Player of the Match award, and deservedly so.
