Vidarbha announces squad for Irani Cup 2025, Akshay Wadkar to lead

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Vidarbha cricket team has announced its squad for the prestigious Irani Cup 2025, with wicketkeeper-batter Akshay Wadkar appointed as captain. The Ranji Trophy champions will host the Rest of India (RoI) team at the VCA’s Jamtha Stadium, Nagpur, from October 1. Vidarbha will be aiming to clinch their third Irani Cup title after earlier triumphs in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. The squad features a strong blend of youth and experience, with Yash Rathod, the highest run-scorer in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy season, named vice-captain. Rathod amassed 960 runs, showcasing his vital role for Vidarbha. The team’s head coach, Usman Ghani, who played a pivotal role in Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy success last season, will be looking to guide the squad to victory once again.

The Vidarbha squad includes core performers such as Atharva Taide, Darshan Nalkande, and Yash Thakur, along with promising talents Danish Malewar and Harsh Dubey poised to make an impact. Wadkar, who boasts 3906 runs from 62 first-class matches at an average of 48.82 with 11 centuries, brings leadership and experience to the team’s middle order. Rathod’s impressive form and consistency with the bat are expected to provide stability and run-scoring prowess. The squad of 16 also features wicketkeeper Shivam Deshmukh, along with bowlers Aditya Thakare, Akshay Karnewar, and Praful Hinge, giving Vidarbha a balanced lineup. Former standout performers have contributed to Vidarbha’s rise in domestic cricket, and the team hopes to harness this mix of experience and youthful energy to reclaim the Irani Cup against the formidable Rest of India side, which has clinched the title 29 times historically.

The upcoming Irani Cup clash holds high stakes as it traditionally opens India’s domestic season with a contest between the reigning Ranji Trophy champions and a Rest of India team comprising the best in the country. With home advantage in Nagpur and strong leadership under Wadkar and Rathod, Vidarbha’s ambition is clear—to add another Irani Cup trophy to their cabinet and build on their recent domestic dominance.

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Akshay Wadkar (c & wk), Yash Rathod (Vice-Captain), Atharva Taide, Aman Mokhade, Danish Malewar, Harsh Dubey, Parth Rekhade, Yash Thakur, Nachiket Bhute, Darshan Nalkande, Aditya Thakare, Akshay Karnewar, Yash Kadam, Shivam Deshmukh (WK), Praful Hinge, Dhruv Shorey.

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