Irani Cup 2025: Vidarbha vs Rest of India, Match Preview

Published - 30 Sept 2025, 21:02 IST | Updated - 30 Sept 2025, 20:31 IST

The Irani Cup 2025 is set to begin on October 1 and run until October 5, featuring a clash between Vidarbha and Rest of India at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Adding to the excitement, India will also play West Indies in their first Test match in Ahmedabad during this period, giving cricket fans a packed schedule to look forward to.

Vidarbha have previously won the Irani Cup twice, in 2017/18 and 2018/19, both times securing victory via a first-innings lead. Buoyed by an unbeaten run in the Ranji Trophy 2024/25, with one match ending in a draw, the Vidarbha team will aim to replicate that success and claim the trophy for the third time in their history.

Rest of India, on the other hand, will seek to assemble a strong squad capable of dominating their opponents. They last lifted the trophy in 2023/24, defeating Saurashtra, and will look to create an upset against Vidarbha this year. Rajat Patidar will lead the side, with Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Khaleel Ahmed, and Akash Deep forming the core of the squad.

The pitch at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium is considered batting-friendly, offering consistent bounce. Batters are expected to dominate, with the ball coming onto the bat nicely, allowing for fluent stroke play. The surface favours aggressive batting, particularly in the early stages, making it ideal for top-order players to settle in and build partnerships. With good scoring potential, the pitch is likely to support high totals in the first innings.

Atharva Taide, Dhruv Shorey, Yash Rathod, Danish Malewar, Akshay Wadkar (C & WK), Harsh Dubey, Parth Rekhade, Akshay Karnewar, Darshan Nalkande, Aditya Thakare, and Yash Thakur

Abhimanyu Easwaran, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yash Dhull, Rajat Patidar (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Tanush Kotian, Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar, Anshul Kamboj, Akash Deep, Khaleel Ahmed