Vid face Baroda challenge

By Paritosh Pramanik

Nov 16, 2025

THE cool November breeze might have brought the temperature down by a few degree Celsius here in Nagpur but come Sunday, the intensity will be on high from Vidarbha cricketers when they lock horns with Baroda in the fifth round of their Elite Group A Ranji Trophy match at VCA's Jamtha Stadium.

The reigning champions Vidarbha are sitting on the top of Group A with 19 points in the bag. The team is on a roll with two wins and as many draws. Against Baroda, the Akshay Wadkar-led side will aim to continue their aggressive style of play and go for another outright win before the tournament takes a break for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

The three-time Ranji champions’ batting looks solid with Aman Mokhade being in rich form clobbering three hundreds and a half century from four games. 

The right-handed opener single-handedly gave Vidarbha the start they needed to put pressure on their opponents. Professionals Dhruv Shorey and R Samarth have shown their immense talent and are manning the middle order along with run-machine Yash Rathod and captain Wadkar. The only worry for Vidarbha camp is the form of opener Atharva Taide who, after hitting a match-winning century in Irani Cup, could not muster a reasonable score. In the last three games Taide could score 18, 31, 1, 12. He will have to bounce back against Baroda and go into Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament with runs under his belt.

The bowling department has done pretty well without two premier bowlers Yash Thakur and Harsh Dubey who are with India ‘A’ squad playing in the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha.

Pacers Nachiket Bhute, Praful Hinge, Darshan Nalkande, Lalit Yadav and spinners Parth Rekhade and Gaurav Farde have shown immense talent against Odisha and would love to continue their rich form at home.

For Baroda, who are at the fifth position with nine points, this match would be an important one for them going ahead in the competition.

They started well with a seven-wicket win over Odisha but then managed two draws and one of their matches was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Their batting will be spearheaded by Shaswat Rawat. The other batters include, Mitesh Patel, Shivalik Sharma who all have centuries under their belts. The bowling department will be led by Atit Sheth, Rasik Salam, Bhargav Bhatt and Mahesh Pittiya who would try to put Vidarbha batters under pressure in their home.

The home team had long nets on the eve of the match and all looked in good nick during the training session.

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Did hosts get track of their liking?

n By Paritosh Pramanik

The pitch, used during the Irani Cup match, will be utilised for Vidarbha-Baroda encounter starting Sunday. 

Playing on that track, Vidarbha had defeated Rest of India by 93 runs to claim their third Irani Cup title in October.

Whether Vidarbha wanted to play on the same track is a big question, if one goes by the interaction between BCCI’s neutral curator Rakesh Kumar and Vidarbha coach Usman Ghani.

Ghani and captain Akshay Wadkar had a long look at the 22-yard strip on the eve of the match. The two were in the middle for nearly an hour. Later, an animated discussion took place between Rakesh Kumar from Chandigarh and Ghani with VCA curator Abhijeet Piprode also joining them beside the match track. 

Going by the way the discussion took place, it seemed that Vidarbha team management was unhappy with the track. Neutral curator was seen trying to give an explanation about the way the track was prepared.

“It will be the same track on which the Irani Cup was played in October. It is a good strip which will assist both, the spinners as well as the pacers,” was all Vidarbha coach Ghani had to say. Captain Wadkar said that the pitch might get ease out in later part of the game. “It is a good pitch. I think it will get better as the game progresses,” he said, without delving into what transpired in the middle with the curator.

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Two tons, three points

 After opener Aman Mokhade, Yash Rathod hits an unbeaten century as Vidarbha earn 3 points against Jharkhand

By Paritosh Pramanik

Oct 29, 2025

VIDARBHA opener Aman Mokhade (176) again missed a double century while left-handed middle-order mainstay Yash Rathod (101*) struck his career’s eighth hundred as Vidarbha took three points on the basis of first innings lead against Jharkhand here at VCA Jamtha Stadium on Tuesday.

The draw lifted Vidarbha to top of Group A with 10 points while Jharkhand took second spot with eight points.

Vidarbha next play Tamil Nadu at Coimbatore from November One.

Asked to bat first, Jharkhand posted 332 all out with Vidarbha’s Nachiket Bhute taking four wickets and Praful Hinge three.

Vidarbha, resuming the final day at 239 for two, scored 492 for five with Rathod hitting an unbeaten century and Ravikumar Samarth (63) and Akshay Karnewar (57*) cracking fine half centuries.

Vidarbha declared their innings with a lead of 160 runs, immediately after Rathod completed his ton, who hit Jharkhand captain Ishan Kishan for a boundary through covers. 

The teams shook hands and the match was called off.

Earlier, Vidarbha started well with overnight batters Mokhade and Samarth stretching their partnership further. Both picked singles and doubles and hit occasional boundaries in between to inch closer to Jharkhand’s 332. Mokhade looked determined to complete his maiden double century. He was in total control as he drove Vikas Kumar for a boundary through covers early in the morning. He also pushed the ball between slips to pick a double the next over.

But again, like in the first game, the talented batter missed a chance to score a double ton. He missed the line completely to see his furniture disturbed off Rishav Raj who bowled a straighter one. Mokhade stretched for a forward defence but failed to cover his stumps as he returned to the pavilion dejected.

During his 445-minute stay in the middle, Mokhade’s 176 runs came from 312 balls laced with 14 boundaries and two sixes. Along with Ravikumar Samarth, the two added 71 runs for the third wicket.

Samarth played his shots along the ground and with left-hander Rathod, the two helped Vidarbha take the lead after lunch.

Karnataka-born Samarth duly completed his 36th First Class half century, first for Vidarbha, by picking up a double off Rishav Raj. 

The next ball, he drove the same bowler for a boundary. But he, too, could not keep his calm and stepped out to hit Anukul Roy out of the park only to be stumped by Kumar Kushagra.

Meanwhile, Rathod, last season’s highest runs scorer, completed his 11th First Class half century with a single of Rishav as Vidarbha continued to increase their lead. He and Akshay Karnewar then remained unseparated putting up 120 runs for fourth wicket. 

Rathod’s unbeaten knock came from 145 deliveries and had nine boundaries.

Yadav, Bhoyar in team for TN game

PACER Lalit Yadav and all-rounder Satyam Bhoyar made it to the Vidarbha Ranji Trophy squad for their third round match against Tamil Nadu.

THE selectors have included Yadav in place of injured Aditya Thakare and added Bhoyar to the for the Elite Group ‘A’ match to be played in Coimbatore from November 1 to 4.

Defending champions Vidarbha, led by Akshay Wadkar, are topping Group A with 10 points from two games.

THE SQUAD: Akshay Wadkar (Captain & WK), Atharva Taide, Yash Rathod (Vice-Captain), Aman Mokhade, Parth Rekhade, Nachiket Bhute, Darshan Nalkande, Praful Hinge, Akshay Karnewar, Yash Kadam, Shubham Kapse, Shivam Deshmukh (WK), Ganesh Bhosle, Satyam Bhoyar, Lalit Yadav, Dhruv Shorey, R Samarth.

SUPPORT STAFF: Coach: Usman Ghani; Asst Coach: Dharmender Ahlawat; S&C Coach: Yuvraj Singh Dasondhi; Physio: Dr Nitin Khurana; Video Analyst: Ajeenkya Sawale; Masseur: Bhushan Zhade; Sidearm ball thrower: Yash Thorat; Manager: Jitendra Darbhe.

The time I spent on bench taught me a lot: Centurion Mokhade

By Paritosh Pramanik

Oct 29, 2025

WARMING the bench and not getting a game the whole season would demoralise anybody but for Aman Mokhade, it was a learning curve which taught him how to remain calm and wait for the small window to show his credentials.

Mokhade is regarded as one of the most talented batters Vidarbha have at present. But selectors were finding it difficult to insert him in a squad already packed with performers. Mokhade was used as a replacement batter until Danish Malewar got injured before the start of new season. And the 24-year-old right-handed opener pounced the opportunity with both hands hitting Daddy Hundred in back-to-back matches. “The last season taught me a lot. I was not getting games and was waiting for one opportunity. Those days on the bench taught me to remain calm and wait for the opportunity. It is not easy to remain on the bench watching others perform. I learned a lot during that period and am grateful that I managed to utilise those learning in these two matches,” Mokhade said while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ after Vidarbha won the match against Jharkhand on the basis of first innings lead.

“Those days really helped me as I learned a lot by watching others play. I learned how to bat in different situations,” revealed Mokhade.

A century (183) against Nagaland followed up by another ton (176) against Jharkhand at Jamtha, Mokhade said he would savour both the innings but will rate the second one best as it came against a quality side. “Of course, both centuries are special but I would rate this one as on top because we were playing against a quality side. They have some big names in their list and are an experienced bunch. Batting was challenging initially and we (with Atharva Taide) gave the team a good start. But yes, I rue missing double centuries on both the occasions. I was determined that I would score here but that could not happen,” added Mokhade who hit 176 from 312 balls.

“I am sure it (double century) is round the corner as I am batting well and scoring runs for my team. It is not far away,” Mokhade said confidently.

The opening batter said that it was important to score big at the top as the team was chasing a big total. “We wanted to bat long. The 332 runs first innings score was not an easy chase and we decided to bat deep. We still wanted to go for seven points. But we lost a couple of quick wickets and then had to change our plan. Otherwise, we would have bowled here again and challenged them,” said Mokhade.

On creating a happy selection headache for the coach and selectors, Mokhade said that it’s good for the side. “This will continue in the Vidarbha side. All the players are performing above expectations. In the future it (the headache) will definitely grow. All the players have potential to perform and I am sure if we make a second Vidarbha squad they will also give a tough fight to other teams,” Mokhade concluded.

Mokhade’s 2nd straight ton

By Paritosh Pramanik

Oct 28, 2025

ONE should learn how to grab opportunities from Aman Mokhade. It was a God-send opening for Mohkade after Danish Malewar got injured and could not recover in time for Vidarbha’s opening Ranji Trophy match against Nagaland in Bengaluru. 

Mokhade made the most of that chance, hitting a career-best 183, which helped Vidarbha register an innings win.

In the second game here at Jamtha Stadium on Monday, the 24-year-old Mokhade slammed his second successive century (145*; 267b, 10x4, 2x6) to help Vidarbha inch closer to Jharkhand’s first innings total 

of 232. Vidarbha were 239 for two needing another 94 runs to take the first innings lead when bad light once again stopped play. 

Mokhade and Ravikumar Samarth (12) were occupying the crease.

Two century stands put Vidarbha in total control on the third day. Mokhade and Atharva Taide (31) put up 111 runs for the opening wicket and then the centurion opener and Dhruv Shorey (48) added 108 for the second wicket to put their side in a position of strength.

Mokhade’s century celebration was apt with satisfaction written on it. A gentle punch from his right fist and then arms raised with the bat, Mokhade looked a relieved and contented man.

Dhruv Shorey (48) watched his partner’s celebration from a handshaking distance and gave him his space to savour the moment. They then hugged each other and got back to business, piling misery on Jharkhand bowlers.

Vidarbha’s strong foundation was laid by Mokhade and Taide in the morning. There was no hurry as Vidarbha scored their first runs from the bat after 41 deliveries. Taide’s innings was totally unlike-Taide, playing almost a ‘dead bat’ which was the need of the hour while Mokhade took on the mettle scoring runs through gaps. Taide’s first runs came after 33 deliveries, a tap towards long-on for a couple. 

Both the batters remained unseparated at lunch scoring 75 runs from 35 overs.

They continued in the same vein after the break and Taide started pushing the ball through gaps. But the partnership had a sad end when Taide went for an unwanted run only to get run out by an athletic Jharkhand captain Ishan Kishan who did not keep wickets after the first session.

Taide tapped a delivery towards mid-on region and went for a tight single but Kishan 

took a diving direct hit to end the partnership.

Mokhade’s innings was concentration personified. He hit five boundaries from 118 deliveries for his fifty. His 100 came from 199 balls which had another five balls to the fence and two over it. 

He swept, drove and at times played pull shots to build up his chanceless innings. Mokhade also used the pace of the ball to hit a four through covers in one of pacer Jatin Pandey’s overs which received a huge applause from the dressing room. 

In the first session, the batter took spinner Anukul Roy for a special liking hitting him for three boundaries. After lunch, Roy had a long spell of 18 overs but without success.

Shorey, meanwhile, middled the ball well and hit four boundaries but was unlucky to get out, two runs short of his 23rd half century.  A Sahil Raj’s delivery passed close to his body into part-time wicketkeeper Kumar Kushagra’s gloves but the umpire thought the batter had edged it and raised his finger. 

Shorey shook his head in disbelief and showed that the ball had brushed his waist. 

But the decision was made and he had to walk back.

Jharkhand, who were totally outplayed by Vidarbha, barring the two wickets they managed to take in the day, used six bowlers including Kishan who rolled his arms for a couple of overs.

Jharkhand tail frustrate Vid

By Paritosh Pramanik

Oct 27, 2025

JHARKHAND tail wagged to frustrate Vidarbha as they posted 332 in their first innings on the second day of their Elite Group A Ranji Trophy match at VCA Jamtha Stadium on Sunday.

Vidarbha’s innings could not start as the play was suspended due to bad light immediately when Jharkhand players walked into the field. The day was called off after a few minutes.

Vidarbha did manage to take some quick wickets in the three-hour second session in which they bowled 43 overs but Jharkhand tailenders did not budge as the last three wickets added 63 runs.

Pacers Praful Hinge (3-63) and Nachiket Bhute (4-41) shared seven wickets between them, but the last wicket pair of Jatin Pandey (18*) and Vikas Kumar (25) added 41 to take Jharkhand’s total to 332.

Vidarbha struck in the middle session taking six wickets with the second new ball (taken in the 86th over). From 255 for three, Jharkhand were 262 for seven by 95th over. But Pandey joined hands with Sahil Raj (13) and then with Vikas to frustrate Vidarbha.

The sun once again remained behind clouds for most part of the morning session and Vidarbha managed to break the overnight opening wicket partnership of 119 runs between openers Shikhar Mohan (60) and Sharandeep Singh (69) quickly sending back the former.

Hinge was rewarded for his consistent line as the lanky bowler pitched one on the coin forcing Shikhar Mohan to nick back to wicketkeeper captain Akshay Wadkar on his personal overnight score of 60 runs.

Sharandeep Singh later completed his career’s seventh half century from 111 deliveries in the morning with a beautiful cover drive off Nalkande. His partner in the middle, Suraj Kumar (24) showed his batting skills with a lovely boundary through covers off Hinge in the 48th over. The left-handed batter tried to pace up the innings hitting another boundary, this time a straighter one, off Parth Rekhade’s bowling in the 53rd over. But his innings was cut short by Bhute as the batter tried to overpower the bowler with a pull shot only to give a high catch to Hinge at fine leg boundary.

Sharandeep’s fine innings was finally halted before lunch when Akshay Karnewar spun his delivery enough to get the edge of his bat as the red cherry landed in Atharva Taide’s hands at first slip.

Vidarbha had a chance to gain control immediately after lunch but Wadkar, who was otherwise outstanding behind the stumps, missed an easy stumping chance. Virat Singh (36) stepped out for a big heave but missed the line off Rekhade. But Wadkar failed to collect the ball as the opportunity went in vain.

Jharkhand captain Ishan Kishan (45) and Virat then started taking on the bowlers hitting boundaries from both the ends.

Ishan hit two successive boundaries off Hinge in the 92nd over but the bowler had the last laugh as he got the prized scalp on the last ball of his over. Ishan slapped an aerial shot towards square leg only to find Darshan Nalkande grabbing it inches inside the ropes. The partnership yielded 78 runs. One brought two as Bhute got the wicket of Virat caught by Wadkar. 

But when Vidarbha thought that they had an early chance to bat, Jharkhand tail wagged, frustrating the home team.

Jharkhand take honours on rain-curtailed Day One

By Paritosh Pramanik

Oct 26, 2025

VIDARBHA bowlers, without the services of spinner Harsh Dubey and pacer Yash Thakur, toiled hard in a rain-truncated opening day of their Ranji Trophy match against Jharkhand at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium on Saturday. Put into bat, Jharkhand were 119 for no loss from 38 overs when the play was stopped 45 minutes before scheduled time due to bad light.

Dubey and Thakur have been summoned for India ‘A’ duty and Vidarbha missed the two badly as none of the other front-line bowlers could manage to pose a threat to the two Jharkhand openers.

Left-hander Shikhar Mohan (60*, 127b, 5x4) and Sharadeep Singh (46*, 101b, 4x4) did not give Vidarbha any space to dominate with their composed batting putting up an unbeaten century run stand. 

The first session of the day was completely washed out and play was not possible for more than three hours forcing the teams to stay inside the dressing room. 

The rain started an hour and a half before the start of play in the morning and continued till noon. There were short passages without a drop but as soon as umpires ventured into the field for inspection, it started to drizzle again. This happened on more than three occasions. The first inspection was at 10.10 am and then after another 20 minutes. There was another inspection at 11.05 am but as it happened earlier in the day, it started drizzling again.

Finally, it was at around 12 noon that the rain stopped and groundsmen started removing the covers. The umpires inspected the outfield immediately. Heavy roller was used to roll the pitch which was under covers for whole morning.

With overcast conditions, Vidarbha’s decision to bowl first backfired as they failed to make an impact with the ball in the first session with Jharkhand putting up 66 without any dent at tea.

The three-pronged pace attack of Darshan Nalkande, Nachiket Bhute and Praful Hinge did manage to swing deliveries which passed the bat from kissing distance but the end result was in negative. Vidarbha started with Parth Rekhade who bowled the second over of the day but the spinner was removed after only two overs. It was only after tea that he was re-introduced because of bad light but again had to be pulled out as the light improved and umpires allowed pacers to operate.

Jharkhand batters Mohan and Singh did a fabulous job for their side by applying themselves. While Mohan started with a couple of boundaries off Nalkande’s first over, Singh lowered his guard and played the second fiddle. Vidarbha had a chance but Aman Mokhade dropped Mohan at 27 in the gully region.

Mohan made most of the reprieve and a boundary towards mid-wicket and a single next ball off Rekhade brought a well-deserved half century for him. The knock came from 112 balls with four boundaries. 

In the process the two also added 100 runs from 201 deliveries for the opening wicket to put their side in a position of strength.

Whenever the debut comes, it will be for ‘Maa Bharti’: Ganesh

By Paritosh Pramanik

Oct 25, 2025

HE HAS walked the tight rope to reach this far. There were struggles which he does not want to remember. Ganesh Bhosle, the 24-year-old included in the Vidarbha 17-member squad for the Ranji Trophy match against Jharkhand starting Saturday, wants to remain in the present.

With premier left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey on India ‘A’ duty, Bhosle stands a great chance to fulfil his first dream: playing Ranji Trophy for Vidarbha.

But the soft-spoken right-arm spinner is not spending sleepless nights thinking about the debut game. He only wants to keep working hard and let the selectors do their job.

On the eve of Vidarbha’s second round match against Jharkhand here at Jamtha stadium, Bhosle’s eyes panned around the ground again and again as he spoke at length about his journey from Akola’s shanty house, to losing his parents at a tender age, to making it to various age group Vidarbha teams.

“I am not thinking about making a debut tomorrow. It will come at the opportune time,” said Bhosle talking exclusively with ‘The Hitavada’.

“I have struggled since my childhood but I don’t want to remember those days. I lost my parents at an early age. (He lost his father Bharat when he was 11 years old and mother Bharti in 2020 due to COVID). I want to live in the present. Anybody, who loses his parents early, knows what struggle is. My elder brother helped me a lot in my cricketing career,” said Bhosle who wishes to wipe out all those memories. When asked as to whom he would dedicate his debut game to if he plays tomorrow? “My mother Bharti,” pat came the reply with a glow in his eyes.

“Yes, my first Ranji game would be for her. I lost her to COVID and I would dedicate it to her,” he added.

Bhosle’s cricketing journey started when he was 10 years old. He used to venture at a small ground in Akola and watch seniors play.

“I was sort of a ball-boy there. I used to collect and throw the balls back to the seniors. At times, when some players used to come early to the ground, I would try to bowl them. There was one Tendulkar sir (don’t know his first name) who used to teach me a bit of bowling,” Bhosle remembered his early days in Akola.

As he grew older, the spinner got selected in various age group teams of Vidarbha and steadily attracted selectors’ attention.

From being stand-by in the Under-14 age group to getting a chance in the Under-16 Vidarbha side, Ganesh burnt midnight oil during VCA’s camps and got rewarded.

“I got a chance to play for the U-16 team where I took 12 wickets from two games. This helped me get selected for the Central Zone team in 2017-18,” Bhosle recalled.

“I learnt a lot during the CZ Kanpur camp, even though I did not get to play any matches.”

Bhosle was part of Vidarbha U-19 squad which finished runners-up in the Cooch Behar Trophy where he took 10 wickets in a match.

The COVID break disrupted his journey a bit but the Byjus T20 next year gave him more wings to fly. “I took 20 wickets from six matches which helped me get selected for Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament in 2021-22,” stated Bhosle.

The selectors kept him in the loop as he was again picked for the Vijay Hazare and Ranji Trophy teams. 

The moment came last year when Bhosle took 35 wickets in Col CK Nayudu Trophy forcing selectors to give him another shot in Ranji.

“Last year, I took 35 wickets from seven matches in the CK Nayudu Trophy. This year at the Captain Thimmaiah Memorial KSCA Trophy in Bengaluru, I have taken 10-11 wickets from two games.”

“When I was around 14 years of age I never thought of playing competitive cricket. But when I reached 16, I started dreaming of playing Ranji for Vidarbha. After Ranji, my ultimate dream is to play for India one day,” Bhosle said.

Bhosle is spinning his web and collecting wickets in heaps. His dream of making a Ranji debut is not far away which he would dedicate his first game to his late mother ‘Maa Bharti’.