In front of the home fans and family members, the Akshay Wadkar-led Vidarbha team clinched the Irani Cup 2025 by beating the Rajat Patidar-led Rest of India at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur.
Such was the competitiveness of both teams that the game almost went into the last session of the final day. Given the way the action panned out, it deserved an ending like that. Five days, 14 sessions of action-packed red-ball cricket. Atharva Taide’s century, Yash Rathod’s 91 in the first innings, Akash Deep’s three-wicket haul, Yash Thakur’s Day 3 spell, Anshul Kamboj’s reverse swing masterclass, Yash Dhull’s fourth-innings 92 – these were the major takeaways from what was an instant classic.
Here are the key takeaways.
Akash Deep’s Comeback
One of the major talking points in the game was Akash Deep’s return. Playing his first match since the England tour, the 28-year-old pacer showed no signs of rust. He struck twice in his first spell – first with the new ball on Day 1, and then with the older ball on Day 2. In total, he claimed three wickets, all in the first innings. The wicket column may not fully reflect his impact, but Akash Deep looked in fine rhythm. He consistently challenged both edges of the bat, bowling a testing fourth-stump line. The biggest takeaway was his fitness as he showed no signs of breaking down, which has been a concern so far in his international career.
Atharva Taide’s Majestic Hundred
In the final of the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy, Taide was dropped following a string of low scores. During the off-season, the left-handed batter put in significant work behind the scenes with coach Usman Ghani and other members of the support staff – and the results showed.
On a pitch where capped Indian batters like Patidar, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Ishan Kishan failed, Taide stood out with his composed hundred. The surface offered assistance to both pacers and spinners, but Taide handled both with assurance. His 143 in the first innings helped Vidarbha post a total of over 300.
He also took a crucial catch at the boundary off Thakur’s bowling to dismiss Dhull for 92 – a moment that effectively sealed the game for Vidarbha. Overall, it was a complete performance from the Vidarbha opener.
Yash Thakur: The Partnership Breaker
Whenever Vidarbha needed a breakthrough, it was usually Thakur who delivered. On the final day, although he went for over 10 runs per over during a brief period, he provided the key wicket of Yash Dhull, bouncing him out and denying him a century, bringing Vidarbha back in the game. The very next ball, he dismissed Kamboj.
On Day 3, Thakur had bowled a hostile spell full of bouncers that rattled the Rest of India batters. That spell played a significant role in bowling out the visitors early on the day. Six wickets across the match, coupled with timely breakthroughs, meant Thakur had a game to remember.
Wadkar’s Brilliant Captaincy
When Ruturaj Gaikwad struck two boundaries in an over off Thakur, Wadkar responded by placing a fielder between point and third man. Thakur followed it up with a bouncer, and in trying to find the boundary, Gaikwad was caught by the strategically positioned fielder. A well-set trap by the Vidarbha skipper paid off.
Similarly, in the fourth innings, Wadkar placed a fielder next to the umpire – tempting Patidar to clear the infield. Patidar took the bait and was caught by bowler Aditya Thakare. Another smart plan that worked. Wadkar is a fine leader. He is tactically astute, though often under the radar.
Throughout the match – whether through his field placements or bowling changes – he remained in control. It’s fair to say he tactically outmanoeuvred Patidar, who had recently won both the IPL and the Duleep Trophy.
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