Vidarbha clinched a resounding 93-run victory over Rest of India in the Irani Cup on October 5, 2025, in Nagpur, reinforcing their dominance with a third consecutive title in the prestigious tournament. Chasing a daunting target of 361, Rest of India crumbled to 267 in the second session of the fifth day, undone by the stellar bowling of left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey (4/73) and pacer Yash Thakur (2/47). The duo’s match-haul of six wickets each was instrumental in dismantling Rest of India’s batting lineup across both innings, showcasing Vidarbha’s depth and resilience in a high-stakes domestic showdown.

The match saw a spirited fightback from Rest of India, driven by Yash Dhull’s valiant 92 and a gritty 56 from Manav Suthar, whose 104-run seventh-wicket partnership briefly revived hopes of an improbable chase. However, Vidarbha’s bowlers remained unrelenting. The turning point came when Thakur dismissed Dhull, with Atharva Taide taking a spectacular catch at deep third man. The dismissal sparked controversy as Thakur’s provocative send-off led to a heated exchange with Dhull, nearly escalating into physical confrontation. Umpires and Vidarbha fielders intervened to defuse the tension, but both players face potential sanctions from the match referee. Thakur promptly sealed the momentum by cleaning up Akash Deep on the next ball, while Dubey, last season’s leading Ranji Trophy wicket-taker, delivered the final blow to secure the victory.

Vidarbha’s triumph was underpinned by consistent performances across the board, with opener Atharva Taide earning the Player of the Match award for his exceptional 143 in the first innings and a crucial catch to dismiss Dhull. Reflecting on his journey, Taide dedicated the win to the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA), stating, “Last couple of seasons weren’t great for me. But this season, I prepared very well. I wanted to make an impact for my team, and starting the season with the Irani Cup couldn’t have been better.” Vidarbha’s first innings total of 342, followed by 232 in the second, set a formidable challenge that Rest of India could not overcome, despite contributions from Abhimanyu Easwaran (50 in the first innings) and Dhull.

Also Read: India U17 Football Team Faces China in Crucial Friendlies Before Asian Cup Qualifiers

Rest of India’s campaign was marred by familiar struggles, particularly for Easwaran, whose inability to convert starts in crucial knockout games persisted. Dismissed identically in both innings—trapped lbw by left-arm spinners Parth Rekhade and Harsh Dubey—Easwaran’s woes highlighted the team’s broader batting frailties. Rest of India captain Rajat Patidar acknowledged Vidarbha’s superiority, noting, “Vidarbha played well and were deserving winners. If we had applied ourselves better after assessing the conditions, we could have come close to the total.” On a positive note, pacer Akash Deep, recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during the Oval Test in August, showed promising fitness, bowling 29 overs and claiming three wickets with notable sharpness.

The victory cements Vidarbha’s reputation as a powerhouse in Indian domestic cricket, having won all three of their Irani Cup appearances. For national selectors, the match offered insights into emerging talents like Dubey and Thakur, while Taide’s resurgence signals his potential as a future star. Despite the on-field altercation, the focus remains on Vidarbha’s clinical performance, which sets a high bar for the domestic season ahead. As the cricketing community celebrates their triumph, the incident between Thakur and Dhull serves as a reminder of the intense emotions that fuel such high-stakes encounters.

Also Read: India Rattled Early as Mandhana Falls in Crucial World Cup Clash vs Pakistan