Vidarbha lifted their first-ever Vijay Hazare Trophy after registering a commanding 38-run victory over Saurashtra in a high-scoring final at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. A magnificent 128 from Atharva Taide and a disciplined bowling effort, spearheaded by Yash Thakur’s four-wicket haul, helped Vidarbha erase the disappointment of last year’s final defeat to Karnataka.
Asked to bat first, Vidarbha posted an imposing 317 for 8, built around Taide’s composed yet authoritative knock off 118 balls. After crossing fifty three times in the tournament without converting, the opener saved his best for the biggest occasion, notching up a century against the two-time former champions.
Taide began cautiously, taking 66 deliveries to reach his half-century, as Jaydev Unadkat and Chetan Sakariya bowled probing opening spells. The early momentum was briefly stalled when leading run-scorer Aman Mokhade chopped on for 33, ending an 80-run opening stand. However, Taide found excellent support from Yash Rathod, whose brisk 54 off 48 balls injected momentum into the innings.
Taide switched gears with a flurry of boundaries, including two towering sixes — an elegant inside-out loft over extra cover and a powerful pull over deep square leg. Despite surviving a close run-out call and a few nervy moments, he dominated the innings before falling in the 36th over, having struck 15 fours and three sixes. Useful contributions from R Samarth and skipper Harsh Dubey ensured Vidarbha crossed the 300-mark, though Sakariya’s tight 49th over helped Saurashtra restrict the damage. Sakariya finished with 2 for 45, while Ankur Panwar claimed four wickets.
In reply, Saurashtra’s chase of 318 suffered early setbacks as both openers departed inside the first 10 overs. Nachiket Bhute dismissed Harvik Desai for 20, while Yash Thakur removed the in-form Vishvaraj Jadeja for just 9, a stark contrast to his unbeaten 165 in the semi-final.
Prerak Mankad and Sammar Gajjar attempted to steady the innings, but Vidarbha’s spinners tightened the screws. Darshan Nalkande broke the partnership, and with Parswaraj Rana struggling for fluency, Saurashtra slipped to 112 for 4.
Mankad then revived hopes with Chirag Jani, the pair adding 93 runs for the fifth wicket. Jani struck a fighting 64 off 63 balls, and with 127 needed off the final 15 overs, the chase remained alive. However, Dubey provided the decisive breakthrough by trapping Mankad LBW for 88, triggering a collapse. Nalkande followed it up by dismissing Jani with a well-disguised slower ball.
From there, Thakur wrapped up the tail with clinical precision, finishing with 4 for 50, while Bhute supported him well with 3 for 46, as Saurashtra were bowled out for 279 in 48.5 overs.
Despite dew making conditions favourable for batting second, Vidarbha’s bowlers executed their plans impeccably, striking at regular intervals to seal a historic triumph.
Brief scores:
Vidarbha 317/8 in 50 overs (Atharva Taide 128, Yash Rathod 54; Ankur Panwar 4-65)
Saurashtra 279 in 48.5 overs (Prerak Mankad 88, Chirag Jani 64; Yash Thakur 4-50, Nachiket Bhute 3-46)
Vidarbha won by 38 runs
