Vidarbha lift Irani Cup

 

 

 

Vidarbha have made it a habit of winning Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup every time they lift country’s premier domestic State championship. The three-time Ranji Trophy champions Vidarbha defeated Rest of India by a comfortable 97-run margin to clinch their third Irani Cup here at Vidarbha Cricket Association’s Jamtha Stadium on Sunday. It was a clinical performance from the Akshay Wadkar-led side who dominated all five days of the encounter.

 

They posted 342 runs in the first innings thanks to a fine century by left-handed opener Athrava Taide (143) and 91 from southpaw Yash Rathod. Vidarbha bowlers then restricted Rest of India at 214 with Yash Thakur snaring four wickets while spinners Harsh Dubey and Parth Rekhade chipping in with two each. In their second innings, Vidarbha added 232 to give Rest of India a target of 361. Yash Dhull tried his best with a fighting 92 but Vidarbha bowlers struck back with precision. Left-arm spinner Dubey spun his web taking four scalps on a detonating fifth day track while pacers Aditya Thakare and Thakur grabbed two each to bundle out Rest of India at 267.