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    Fans react as dominant Vidarbha crush Rest of India by 93 runs to clinch 3rd Irani Cup title in Nagpur

    kumbhorgBy No Comments5 Mins Read
    Fans react as dominant Vidarbha crush Rest of India by 93 runs to clinch 3rd Irani Cup title in Nagpur

    Vidarbha reaffirmed their dominance in Indian domestic cricket with a commanding 93-run victory over Rest of India on Day 5 of the Irani Cup 2025 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. The win marked their third Irani Cup triumph and first since 2019, extending their record of completing the Ranji–Irani double every time they’ve lifted the Ranji Trophy.

    Under the composed leadership of Akshay Wadkar, the hosts showed tactical discipline and resilience, sealing the win three minutes before tea. Despite a valiant 92-run effort from Delhi youngster Yash Dhull, Vidarbha’s collective bowling brilliance, led by Yash Thakur’s late strikes, proved decisive. The home crowd roared in unison as Wadkar proudly raised the Irani Cup, capping off another chapter of Vidarbha’s golden domestic era.

    Irani Cup 2025: Yash Dhull’s fighting 92 keeps Rest of India afloat amid morning collapse

    The final day began with Rest of India needing 331 runs and Vidarbha requiring eight wickets. The visitors’ hopes rested heavily on their star-studded lineup featuring Rajat Patidar, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan, but early wickets dashed their ambitions. In the morning session, Aditya Thakare set the tone by dismissing Patidar with a superb reflex catch off his own bowling. Soon after, Darshan Nalkande produced a dream spell, finding just enough reverse swing to induce an edge from Gaikwad, who departed cheaply.

    The pressure intensified when Wadkar introduced left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, who lured Kishan into a false shot. Attempting to break free, Kishan lofted one straight to Parth Rekhade at mid-off, a rash stroke given the match situation. From 30/2 overnight, Rest of India slumped to 80/5 within an hour, leaving Dhull with the burden of revival. Undeterred, the Delhi batter counterattacked with precision, showcasing deft cuts and confident footwork. His partnerships with Saransh Jain and later Manav Suthar temporarily steadied the innings, proving that batting wasn’t impossible despite some rough patches. However, Parth Rekhade broke the stand by trapping Jain LBW, pushing Vidarbha closer to victory as the first session closed firmly in their favour.

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    Yash Thakur’s double strike seals glory as Vidarbha lift the Irani Cup once again

    The post-lunch session witnessed Dhull’s determined counterpunch. Advancing down the track to spinners and timing the ball beautifully, he brought up a gritty fifty. Alongside Manav Suthar, who contributed a composed half-century, Dhull stitched together a 104-run stand that momentarily gave Rest of India a glimmer of hope. The deficit fell below 150, and Vidarbha’s bowlers looked briefly rattled. Then came the turning point, Thakur’s fiery spell.

    After being taken for runs earlier, Thakur returned charged up, taking two wickets in two balls. First came a dramatic moment when Atharva Taide pulled off a superb running catch at deep third to dismiss Dhull for 92 (117). The wicket sparked a heated exchange between Dhull and Thakur, adding intensity to the contest. Unfazed, Thakur followed it up with a perfect yorker to shatter Anshul Kamboj’s stumps, effectively ending the chase. Taide later sealed the match with another sharp catch to dismiss Gurnoor Brar, igniting celebrations across the ground.

    Vidarbha’s bowling unit, Thakur, Nalkande, Dubey, Thakare, and Rekhade, all chipped in with vital breakthroughs, demonstrating why the team remains a powerhouse in red-ball cricket. Their triumph wasn’t just a win on home soil; it was a statement of depth, strategy, and consistency. With this victory, Vidarbha not only retained their supremacy in the domestic circuit but also reaffirmed their reputation as India’s most balanced first-class side in recent years.

    Here’s how fans reacted:

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