Author: Vaibhav Tripathi

It was in 1987 that India last lost a Test match in Delhi. The Sir Viv Richards-led West Indies won that game by five wickets. That was the West Indies team of old — a side that was fearsome and ruthless, both at home and away. Fast forward to 2025, and the West Indies have lost a home series 3–0 to Australia, which included a shocking 27 all out. They then went on to lose a T20I series to Nepal before suffering another defeat to India in Ahmedabad — this time inside two and a half days. While they still…

India’s newly-appointed ODI captain Shubman Gill intends to adopt the “calmness” that his predecessor Rohit Sharma brought to the dressing room as he prepares to lead the team in the 50-over format, starting with the upcoming tour of Australia later this month. Having played a lot under Rohit’s leadership, Gill highlighted the qualities of the former captain that he aims to embrace as he takes over the reins. “There are so many qualities that I have inherited from Rohit Bhai; one is the calmness that he possesses, and the kind of friendship that he fosters among the group is something…

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…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Nagpur Defending Ranji Trophy champions Vidarbha secured their third Irani Cup title by defeating Rest of India by 93 runs on the fifth day at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur. In front of their home fans, the Akshay Wadkar-led Vidarbha lifted the Irani Cup trophy for the first time since 2019. The final day was set up beautifully, with Rest of India needing 331 runs while Vidarbha required eight wickets. Yash Dhull fought a lone battle with his 92. His 104-run partnership with Manav Suthar gave the hosts a scare, but Yash Thakur…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Nagpur Anshul Kamboj’s incisive morning spell triggered a mini collapse, but resilient batting efforts from Akshay Wadkar and Darshan Nalkande helped Vidarbha set a target of 361 for Rest of India. The visitors ended Day 4 on 30/2. The late strikes have put the home team ahead at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Jamtha, Nagpur. After Yash Thakur’s short-ball ploy stole the spotlight on Day 3, it was Kamboj who took centrestage in the first session of the penultimate day of the Irani Cup. On an abrasive wicket, Kamboj kept things simple. With the old…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Nagpur Yash Thakur’s hostile spell of fast bowling helped Vidarbha bowl out Rest of India for 214 in the first session on Day 3 of the Irani Cup match. Only a session-and-a-half was possible after that due to bad light, with the hosts ending the day at 96/2, taking a lead of 224 runs. Rest of India started the day at 142/5. Aditya Thakare, bowling over the wicket, trapped Manav Suthar in front of the stumps with the first delivery of the day to give his team an ideal start. The morning only got better, as within…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Nagpur Vidarbha tightened their grip on the ongoing Irani Cup match against Rest of India at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Nagpur. After being bowled out for 342 in the first session, the hosts reduced Rest of India to 142 for 5. Skipper Rajat Patidar was unbeaten on 42 as his team trailed by 200 runs. As soon as Vidarbha’s innings came to a close, fans began flocking to the reserved stand, hoping to catch a glimpse of the capped Indian batters. However, much to their disappointment, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan were…

Vaibhav Tripathi in Nagpur Twin strikes from Manav Suthar in the first session had reduced Vidarbha to 80/3. Atharva Taide then led his team’s fightback with an unbeaten 118, alongside Yash Rathod’s 91, taking Vidarbha to 280/5 at stumps on Day 1 of the Irani Cup. The Rest of India bowlers toiled hard on a hot day. Suthar bagged three wickets, while Akash Deep took a couple in the 14 overs he bowled. At the start of play, only a few pockets of the stands were filled. As soon as the action began, with Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj bowling…

India A chased down a target of 412 to beat Australia A in Lucknow — the highest successful run chase by an ‘A’ side in history. At the heart of this victory were KL Rahul (176*) and Sai Sudharsan (100). Captain Dhruv Jurel also played a crucial role, scoring a quick fifty to help his team secure a five-wicket win and seal the series 1-0. After retiring hurt yesterday, Rahul came out to bat after the dismissal of Manav Suthar early on Day 4. Familiar with the conditions, he picked up where he had left off on Day 3. Despite…

Just when it seemed that KL Rahul would convert his fifty into a hundred, he had to walk off the field retired hurt — but not before his 74 led India A’s fightback in the second innings, as they ended Day 3 on 169 for 2. The hosts need 243 runs to win the second unofficial Test against Australia A in Lucknow. Rahul had to return to the pavilion as he is suffering from a fever. While he was batting in the heat of Lucknow, the Indian Test squad for the upcoming series against the West Indies was announced. The…