The Irani Cup 2025 ended in spectacular fashion as Vidarbha thrashed the Rest of India by 93 runs to lift their third Irani Trophy title. The five-day clash at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur saw Vidarbha display a perfect blend of disciplined bowling, composed batting, and unyielding team spirit. With this victory, the side reaffirmed its dominance in Indian domestic cricket, adding another feather to its growing legacy.
Taide Leads the Way for Vidarbha
The foundation of Vidarbha’s triumph was laid by Atharva Taide, whose fluent century in the first innings set the tone for the match. His well-constructed innings reflected patience, timing, and technical class against a formidable Rest of India bowling attack. Supported by crucial contributions from the middle order, Vidarbha posted a competitive total that put early pressure on the opposition.
Taide’s composure under pressure earned him the Player of the Match award and underlined why he is considered one of the most promising young batters in the domestic circuit. His ability to convert starts into big scores and play long innings proved invaluable for Vidarbha’s campaign.
Bowlers Seal the Deal
Vidarbha’s bowlers took center stage as they dismantled the Rest of India batting line-up with relentless accuracy and variation. Harsh Dubey emerged as the standout performer with his four-wicket haul in the final innings, while Yash Thakur provided vital breakthroughs with his pace and consistency. Together, they formed a lethal combination that consistently troubled the opposition with movement, bounce, and sharp discipline.
The Rest of India batters, despite a few flashes of resistance, failed to withstand the pressure applied by the Vidarbha attack. Every time a partnership seemed to build, Vidarbha’s bowlers found a way to strike back, ensuring their grip on the contest remained firm throughout.
Heated Moments and Competitive Spirit
The final day of the match witnessed a few heated moments as Yash Thakur and Yash Dhull exchanged words following a dismissal. The tension on the field was a reflection of the competitive spirit that has come to define the Irani Cup. However, the situation was quickly diffused, and Vidarbha maintained its focus to finish the job in style.
The victory was not only a display of skill but also of character. Vidarbha’s players showcased maturity in high-pressure moments and a collective hunger to dominate, which eventually set them apart from the Rest of India side.
A New Era of Vidarbha Cricket
With this win, Vidarbha have now clinched their third Irani Cup title, having previously won in 2018 and 2019. The team’s consistent performances over the past few years highlight the depth of talent and strength in their setup. Under the guidance of experienced coaching staff and emerging local stars, Vidarbha continue to raise the bar in domestic cricket.
The Irani Cup 2025 not only reaffirmed Vidarbha’s position as a powerhouse but also showcased India’s growing bench strength. From Taide’s brilliance with the bat to Dubey and Thakur’s dominance with the ball, the match was a celebration of pure first-class cricketing excellence.
As the domestic season moves forward, Vidarbha’s victory serves as both inspiration and warning — they are here to stay, and their hunger for silverware is far from over.
