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.
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.
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.
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.
| 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.
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