Southpaws Taide (118*), Rathod (91) guide Ranji champions to 280-5 on Day 1 against Rest of India
By Paritosh Pramanik
October 1, 2025
VIDARBHA were saved by two left-handers. Opener Atharva Taide (118*) and his club-mate since age-group days middle-order bat Yash Rathod (91), both southpaws, batted with calm, composure and command to lift Vidarbha from a precarious position on opening day of their Irani Cup match here at VCA’s Jamtha Stadium on Wednesday.
Taide made most of the reprieves he got in the morning while Rathod continued his roseate form as the duo helped Vidarbha reach a respectable total after captain Akshay Wadkar decided to bat first. The two added crucial 184 runs for the fourth wicket to help Ranji champions Vidarbha reach 280 for 5 at stumps. Taide and night-watchman Yash Thakur (4) were at the crease at the end of day’s play.
Taide, who was dropped thrice in the morning, twice by butter-fingered wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan and once by Abhimanyu Easwaran at slips, apart from being bowled (first ball) off a no ball, showed maturity in his batting, hitting a morale boosting century ahead of the new Ranji season.
Taide was ignored for the Ranji Trophy final against Kerala after scoring 4 and 0 against Mumbai in the semis. The left-handed batter worked hard during the off season to regain his form.
“I have been working hard on my batting but for couple of seasons its not working out. I am not doing anything different. I am believing in myself. I don’t let frustration creep in. I try to keep myself calm,” Taide told ‘The Hitavada’ after his unbeaten knock.
It wasn’t an easy start for Taide who found it a bit difficult to bat on in the morning. He was bowled first ball by pacer Akash Deep only to see the bowler over stepping the line.
There were a few mishits and some edges as he tried to build his innings. His struggle and two wickets (Dhruv Shorey and Danish Malewar) in space of two deliveries by left-arm spinner Manav Suthar put Vidarbha under immense pressure.
In came Rathod and the two started the repair job. With Rathod at the other end, Taide got relieved. He knew what Rathod was capable of. Rathod’s presence gave him time to adjust under the bright sun.
As the day progressed, the wicket eased out. Rathod took the mettle to score quick runs while Taide found gaps to hit occasional boundaries.
“We did not talk much in the middle. We both know each other since our age group days. We have played a lot together. Yash knows how to pace the innings. That helped me in my batting. With him scoring bulk of runs, my pressure was released,” said Taide of their 184 runs stand for the fourth wicket which resurrected Vidarbha’s innings.
The two left-handed batters made light work of Rest of India’s bowling. Taide was in no hurry while Rathod, who scored 374 runs in Duleep Trophy for champions Central Zone, found easy gaps cutting the bowlers comfortably.
Rathod, Ranji Trophy’s highest scorer with 960 runs, picked up occasional boundaries. Rest of India’s bowlers’ shoulders dropped as the two 25-year-olds swelled their partnership.
The Vidarbha opener completed his century with a long-on six off Suthar in the 67th over.
Rathod moved into 90s with a six over long-on off the same bowler but threw his wicket very next delivery going for another big heave giving a simple catch to Gurnoor Brar.
Rest of India took the new ball immediately and Akash Deep gave them breakthrough forcing Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar (5) poke one behind to Kishan. But Taide stood firm till the end of the day and will come back on the morrow fresh for another big one.
“We want to bat as long as we can tomorrow. The wicket has eased out. There’s no set total but we want to bat long and see where we (total) reach,” Taide said.
For Rest of India southpaw Suthar was the most successful bowler with three wickets while Akash Deep, making return to competitive cricket after an injury lay-off, took two.
No comments:
Post a Comment