In a thrilling climax to India’s premier domestic first-class fixture, Vidarbha held their nerve to lift the Irani Cup—thanks to a match-winning partnership between Aditya Dubey and Akshay Thakur that silenced a late Delhi surge led by Yash Dhull and Manav Suthar.
The Final Push: Dubey and Thakur Seal the Deal
Chasing a modest target on a wearing pitch at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, Vidarbha lost early wickets and found themselves in a spot of bother. But 21-year-old left-hander Aditya Dubey (63*) and all-rounder Akshay Thakur (41*) stitched together an unbroken 98-run stand for the sixth wicket to guide their side home with calm authority .
With the pressure mounting and Delhi’s spinners probing, the duo mixed caution with calculated aggression—Dubey driving through the off-side with elegance, Thakur sweeping and nudging with grit. Their composure under fire turned what looked like a tense contest into a statement win.
Delhi’s Glimmer of Hope
Earlier in the day, Delhi had given themselves a fighting chance. Opener Yash Dhull, the former India U-19 captain, played a captain’s knock—scoring a fluent 92 full of cover drives and wristy flicks. He was well supported by young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar, who showed rare batting grit with an unbeaten 56 lower down the order .
Their 112-run partnership briefly rattled Vidarbha’s bowlers and raised hopes of a dramatic turnaround. But once Dhull fell short of a century—trapped lbw by Thakur—the momentum shifted decisively.
Why This Irani Cup Win Matters
This isn’t just another trophy for Vidarbha. It’s their first Irani Cup title, adding to their two Ranji Trophy crowns (2017–18, 2018–19). For a team once considered an underdog, this victory cements their status as a domestic powerhouse and a talent factory for Indian cricket.
Match Snapshot
| Team | 1st Innings | 2nd Innings |
|---|---|---|
| Vidarbha (Ranji Champions) | 352 | 187/5 (won by 5 wickets) |
| Delhi (Rest of India) | 274 | 263 (Dhull 92, Suthar 56*) |
As the sun set on Ekana, it was Vidarbha’s day—but Delhi’s young core, led by Dhull and Suthar, showed they’re ready for bigger stages.