In a historic triumph, Vidarbha clinched their first-ever Vijay Hazare Trophy title on Sunday, defeating Saurashtra by 38 runs in a thrilling final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This victory marks a significant milestone for the Vidarbha team, who have now added a domestic limited-overs crown to their impressive resume that already includes the Ranji Trophy.
Vidarbha posted a formidable total of 304 for 9 in their 50 overs, powered by a magnificent century from opener Atharva Taide. Taide’s 118 off 126 balls, including 12 fours and 4 sixes, laid the foundation for the innings. Skipper Akshay Wadkar contributed a crucial 56, while Karulkar added 43 to push the score past 300.
Saurashtra’s chase began promisingly with Chirag Pathak and Arpit Vasava, but Vidarbha’s bowlers struck back. Aditya Sarwate, the seasoned left-arm spinner, was the wrecker-in-chief with figures of 4 for 39, dismantling the middle order. Pacers Umesh Yadav and Darshan Nalkande chipped in with key wickets, ensuring Saurashtra fell short at 266 all out in 47.3 overs.
Vidarbha’s journey to the title was not without drama. They overcame strong challenges from teams like Karnataka and Maharashtra in the league stage, showcasing resilience and depth. This win is particularly sweet for coach Subodh Kulkarni, who has nurtured this squad through thick and thin.
The final was witnessed by a packed stadium, with fans erupting in joy as Vidarbha lifted the trophy. This victory not only boosts their confidence ahead of future tournaments but also highlights the growing prowess of central Indian cricket. Saurashtra, despite the loss, can take pride in reaching the final for the second time in three years.
