By Paritosh Pramanik
WITH 105 First-Class matches and a whopping 344 wickets, Vidarbha off-spinner felt itâs time to go on a high as he announced his retirement from cricket on the day when his side claimed third Ranji title defeating Kerala on the basis of first innings lead at VCA Jamtha Stadium on Sunday.
Though Wakhare was part of the 17-member squad, he was not picked in playing XI for the summit clash with the selectors and team management putting faith on two young let-arm spinners in young Harsh Dubey, tournamentâs highest wicket taker with 69 scalps, and newcomer Parth Rekhade.
Wakhare, who made his debut against the same side in 2006 at Pallakad, decided to call it quits as he felt that the Vidarbhaâs spin department is âin good hands now.â
The lanky offie was part of the two previous title wining Vidarbha teams.
He was part of 2017-18 and 2018-19 teams which were led by Faiz Fazal.
âI am very happy for Akshay. The way he played his cricket and what he has given for Vidarbha is immense. I am sure he would continue to fetch success in his life ahead. All the best to him. He was part on my teams which won the first two Ranji titles. And calling it quits on this big day (another Ranji title) is the right time,â Fazal, who was present at the ground to watch Vidarbha lift the title, said.
The 39-year-old finger spinner Wakhare was once the mainstay of Vidarbha bowling and paired up with Aditya Sarvate, who now plays for Kerala, to win many a battle for the side.
With former spinner Pritam Gandhe at the helm, Wakhare had to wait for his turn. But once Gandhe retired, Wakhare cemented his place in the Vidarbha squad.
âIt was a great journey. I am at peace with my decision. This was the right time to retire..... retire on a high with third Ranji title,â Wakhare said after the match. Wakhare became the fourth Vidarbha cricketer to play 100 First-Class matches after Faiz Fazal (138), Umesh Yadav (124, including Test matches) and Gandhe (100).
His 13 for 162 against Karnataka in the 2017 semi-final was his best performance till date while he has taken five wickets in an innings on 21 occasions at an average of 28.42.
Wakhare said he has not yet decided whatâs next for him after cricket. âI have not yet decided about future. At the moment I would like to take rest and be with my family,â he added.
Wakhare said he will not be playing as a pro for any side in coming years.
âNot at all. I have not thought about playing for any side as a pro. Neither I will take up coaching job in near future,â the spinner who has played 11 Duleep Trophy matches, said.
Wakhareâs former captain Faiz Fazal, under whose leadership Vidarbha had won the Ranji Trophy twice, played tributes to Wakhare. âHe is one of the best off-spinners in the country. He bowled his heart out for Vidarbha. I couldnât have asked for more as a captain. I wish him all the best,â Fazal said.
Wakhare was felicitated by VCA with a silver salver by VCA President, Justice Vinay M Deshpande (former judge of the Bombay High Court).
Secretary, Sanjay Badkas, Treasurer CA Arjun Phatak, Joint-Secretary Gautam Kale, CADC Chairman Prashant Vaidya and a host of other VCA officials were also present.
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WINDFALL: VCA showers cash awards upon team, support staff
Team gets Rs 3 crore
Spinner Harsh Dubey Rs 25 lakh
Karun Nair, Yash Rathod Rs 10 lakh each
Coach Usman Ghani Rs 15 lakh
Support staff Rs
lakh each
Manager, Massuer, side-arm thower Rs 2 lakh each
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By Paritosh Pramanik
THE third Ranji Tropy title victory forced Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) loosen its purse strings and showers cash rewards on its players and support staff.
Vidarbha clinched their third Ranji title defeating Kerala on the basis of first innings lead at VCAâs Jamtha Stadium on Sunday.
Speaking to âThe Hitavadaâ after announcing the rewards to the players at the centre of the field, VCA President Justice Vinay M Deshpande, former Judge of Bombay High Court, said that the association is very happy with the performance of the team in the entire tournament.
Vidarbha have won nine of the 10 matches they played in Ranji Trophy this season, which reflects the dominance of the team in Indiaâs top domestic competition.
âI have announced Rs 3 crore reward to the title winning Vidarbha team,â said an elated VCA President Deshpande.
Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, who emerged as the highest wicket-taker with 69 wickets and scored 476 runs in a season, and won man of the tournament award, has been rewarded with Rs 25 lakh
Similarly, Karun Nair, who hit nine centuries with five in Hazare Trophy and four in Ranji Trophy, and Yash Rathod who scored 960 runs this season have been rewarded with Rs 10 lakh each. Head coach Usman Ghani will get Rs 15 lakh while assistant coach Atul Ranade, S&C coach Yuvraj Singh Dasondhi, physio Dr Nitin Khurana, Video Analyst Amit Manikrao will get Rs 5 lakh each.
The Massuer Rajsingh Chandel, side arm thrower Yash Thorat and manager Jitendra Darbhe will be rewarded with Rs 2 lakh each.
âI believe in giving. The more you give the more you get. The team has done exceptionally well and it is there to be seen. Just now I appreciated and congratulated them and announced the rewards,â a benevolent Deshpande told âThe Hitavadaâ, after his mid-ground huddle with the champion squad ended with a huge round of applause.
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I would love to stay with Vid team: Nair
By Paritosh Pramanik
When Karnataka Cricket Association shut the doors on Karun Nair, Vidarbha gracefully took him into its arms (team).
Nair, who was fighting to revive his career, got a fresh lease of life and managed to attract national selectorsâ attention with his powerful display in all the three format of domestic competition.
Playing for Vidarbha, Nair hit 255 runs in six innings in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy and then slammed five centuries in Vijay Hazare Trophy scoring 799 runs.
He extented his purple patch in Ranji Tropy with 863 runs as Vidarbha claimed their third title defeating Kerala.
When asked by this scribe about his future plans, Nair said, âI would love to stay with Vidarbha, where I managed to revive my career. But at present I am looking forward to IPL (picked by Delhi Capitals).
âBut yes, I would love to stay with this team,â Nair said after the presentation ceremony at VCAâs Jamtha Stadium on Sunday.