214/10 (69.5)
CR : 3.06
342/10 (101.4)
CR : 3.36
Vidarbha won by 93 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Atharva Taide
143(283) & 15(43)
3:07 PM: And that's the end of the contest! Vidarbha have etched their name in history, beating Rest of India by a commanding 93 runs to lift the Irani Cup in Nagpur. This marks Vidarbha’s third triumph in the prestigious tournament.
Here’s a full recap of the match. Vidarbha won the toss and chose to bat first on what looked like a good surface in Nagpur. Atharva Taide provided a solid anchor at the top as wickets fell at the other end in the opening session. The 4th-wicket partnership between Taide and Yash Rathod steadied the innings, producing a massive stand of 184 runs. The stand was finally broken by Manav Suthar, who dismissed Rathod for 91, just short of a well-deserved century. Atharva Taide went on to score a brilliant 143 before falling, while Rest of India wrapped up the tail quickly on Day 2 to bowl Vidarbha out for 342. Manav Suthar was the standout with the ball, finishing with figures of 3/74.
In reply, Rest of India began positively, with Abhimanyu Easwaran crafting a solid half-century. Skipper Rajat Patidar also played a well-made fifty, finishing as the top scorer with 66, while Easwaran contributed 52. However, little support came from the other batters, and Rest of India were eventually bowled out for 214, giving Vidarbha a commanding first-innings lead of 128 runs.
Vidarbha put up a steady effort in their second innings as the pitch began to show signs of wear. Although no batter reached a half-century, useful contributions came from Aman Mokhade (37 off 76), Akshay Wadkar (36 off 125), and Darshan Nalkande (35 off 92). Vidarbha were eventually bowled out for 232, setting Rest of India a challenging target of 361 runs. Anshul Kamboj was the standout bowler for ROI, claiming 4 wickets.
In their run chase, Rest of India had already lost two key wickets before stumps yesterday. This morning, the ROI batters struggled further, giving away their wickets at regular intervals. The afternoon session saw Yash Dhull and Manav Suthar put together a solid 104-run partnership, frustrating the Vidarbha bowlers. However, Yash Thakur struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Dhull for 92 and then Anshul Kamboj for a golden duck. Manav Suthar played a fine innings, reaching an unbeaten 56, but lacked support at the other end. Rest of India were eventually bowled out for 267, with Harsh Dubey claiming 4 wickets, as Vidarbha secured the Irani Cup with a commanding 93-run victory. Stay tuned for the Post-Match Presentation!
Here’s a full recap of the match. Vidarbha won the toss and chose to bat first on what looked like a good surface in Nagpur. Atharva Taide provided a solid anchor at the top as wickets fell at the other end in the opening session. The 4th-wicket partnership between Taide and Yash Rathod steadied the innings, producing a massive stand of 184 runs. The stand was finally broken by Manav Suthar, who dismissed Rathod for 91, just short of a well-deserved century. Atharva Taide went on to score a brilliant 143 before falling, while Rest of India wrapped up the tail quickly on Day 2 to bowl Vidarbha out for 342. Manav Suthar was the standout with the ball, finishing with figures of 3/74.
In reply, Rest of India began positively, with Abhimanyu Easwaran crafting a solid half-century. Skipper Rajat Patidar also played a well-made fifty, finishing as the top scorer with 66, while Easwaran contributed 52. However, little support came from the other batters, and Rest of India were eventually bowled out for 214, giving Vidarbha a commanding first-innings lead of 128 runs.
Vidarbha put up a steady effort in their second innings as the pitch began to show signs of wear. Although no batter reached a half-century, useful contributions came from Aman Mokhade (37 off 76), Akshay Wadkar (36 off 125), and Darshan Nalkande (35 off 92). Vidarbha were eventually bowled out for 232, setting Rest of India a challenging target of 361 runs. Anshul Kamboj was the standout bowler for ROI, claiming 4 wickets.
In their run chase, Rest of India had already lost two key wickets before stumps yesterday. This morning, the ROI batters struggled further, giving away their wickets at regular intervals. The afternoon session saw Yash Dhull and Manav Suthar put together a solid 104-run partnership, frustrating the Vidarbha bowlers. However, Yash Thakur struck twice in quick succession, dismissing Dhull for 92 and then Anshul Kamboj for a golden duck. Manav Suthar played a fine innings, reaching an unbeaten 56, but lacked support at the other end. Rest of India were eventually bowled out for 267, with Harsh Dubey claiming 4 wickets, as Vidarbha secured the Irani Cup with a commanding 93-run victory. Stay tuned for the Post-Match Presentation!
3:17 PM IST: Time for the post-match presentation........
Player of the Match: Atharva Taide
Atharva Taide (POTM): "Honestly, the feeling hasn’t sunk in yet. The last couple of seasons weren’t great for me, not the way I expected them to be. But this time I prepared really well because I wanted to make an impact for my team. Starting the season with the Irani Cup couldn’t have been better than this. This innings is dedicated to VCA, my coaches, the selectors — everyone who has backed me throughout the season.
That’s what I’ve learned from playing first-class cricket all these years — you have to score runs even on the days when you’re not timing the ball well or when you’re not in the best rhythm. Earlier, I used to make runs only when I was feeling good or striking the ball cleanly. But now I’ve realized the importance of grinding it out when things aren’t clicking, just waiting for my chance. I knew that once I got through the first session, the game would be in my hands."
That’s what I’ve learned from playing first-class cricket all these years — you have to score runs even on the days when you’re not timing the ball well or when you’re not in the best rhythm. Earlier, I used to make runs only when I was feeling good or striking the ball cleanly. But now I’ve realized the importance of grinding it out when things aren’t clicking, just waiting for my chance. I knew that once I got through the first session, the game would be in my hands."
Rajat Patidar (Rest of India Captain): "I think they played really well. They deserve to win this trophy. In the first innings, the batters assessed the conditions really well but Yash Rathod & Atharva Taide batted really well so credit goes to them.
I think we had good batters in our side as we had the capabilities to score 400 runs in an innings but they played better cricket than us.
Yes, the conditions were really good for batting. We should've adapted to the conditions better. We should've been much more closer to the target."
I think we had good batters in our side as we had the capabilities to score 400 runs in an innings but they played better cricket than us.
Yes, the conditions were really good for batting. We should've adapted to the conditions better. We should've been much more closer to the target."
Akshay Wadkar (Vidarbha Captain): "Every phase has its own charm. When I was playing as a player, I was obviously still in the learning process. But now, being in a commanding position with almost all juniors around me and myself as a senior, the responsibility was on me to guide them properly. Those two wins were special. This is quite a young team, and they really enjoy learning. Whatever they do, they do it wholeheartedly, and that’s what makes it even more enjoyable.
Definitely, I felt we could have scored 400-plus. But that’s how cricket is, sir — what you expect doesn’t always happen. In a final match, even 342 runs are never really enough. What matters is how well you defend the runs you’ve got, and you need to make sure the opposition is stopped within that.
(On Taide) He played a really brilliant innings. Initially, he did get a few chances, but it was his day. After that, the way he grinded it out, the time he took, and the way he carried the team forward was commendable. Even when things weren’t going his way, he showed the patience to hold his ground and play through those phases, which was truly admirable.
I feel that Vidarbha’s bowling unit is the best in India. Even if there are only 200 runs on the board, I have the confidence that we can bowl the opposition out for 150 or even 120."
Definitely, I felt we could have scored 400-plus. But that’s how cricket is, sir — what you expect doesn’t always happen. In a final match, even 342 runs are never really enough. What matters is how well you defend the runs you’ve got, and you need to make sure the opposition is stopped within that.
(On Taide) He played a really brilliant innings. Initially, he did get a few chances, but it was his day. After that, the way he grinded it out, the time he took, and the way he carried the team forward was commendable. Even when things weren’t going his way, he showed the patience to hold his ground and play through those phases, which was truly admirable.
I feel that Vidarbha’s bowling unit is the best in India. Even if there are only 200 runs on the board, I have the confidence that we can bowl the opposition out for 150 or even 120."
Akshay Wadkar steps forward in order to collect the trophy, joining his teammates behind the champions’ board as they pose for the celebratory photographs. Vidarbha are the Champions of the Irani Cup 2025!
Phew! Vidarbha have put on a commanding display, completely outclassing Rest of India in Nagpur. This victory marks their third triumph in the prestigious Irani Cup.
That’s a wrap for now! The Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season is set to begin on October 15. You can switch tabs now to catch all the live action from the Women’s Cricket World Cup, where India have been sent in to bat by their arch-rivals Pakistan. For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Deepak Prakash who, along with scorer/analyst Yogesh Kumar brought all the updates of the final day's play. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋
That’s a wrap for now! The Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season is set to begin on October 15. You can switch tabs now to catch all the live action from the Women’s Cricket World Cup, where India have been sent in to bat by their arch-rivals Pakistan. For now, this is Pritam Dey signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Deepak Prakash who, along with scorer/analyst Yogesh Kumar brought all the updates of the final day's play. Stay tuned for more cricketing action from around the world. BYE BYE👋