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The Irani Cup 2025 officially began on Tuesday, October 1, with domestic champions Vidarbha taking on the Rest of India in what promises to be a high-quality battle. The five-day contest is being played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, a ground known for producing competitive red-ball cricket. After winning the toss, Vidarbha opted to bat first, looking to put early runs on the board and challenge the formidable Rest of India bowling unit.
Vidarbha’s stellar domestic season
Vidarbha entered the Irani Cup on the back of a sensational run in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy. Under the leadership of Akshay Wadkar, they topped Group B with six victories in seven matches, showcasing consistency across departments. Their knockout stage campaign was equally impressive, as they outclassed Tamil Nadu in the quarter-final, stunned heavyweights Mumbai in the semi-final, and went on to defeat Kerala in the grand final.
Wadkar, who continues as captain, has a mix of experienced campaigners and young domestic performers at his disposal. Yash Rathod, Atharva Taide, and Dhruv Shorey form a reliable batting core, while Yash Thakur, Darshan Nalkande, and Akshay Karnewar bring strength in the bowling department.
Rest of India boast firepower
On the other side, the Rest of India unit, led by Rajat Patidar with Ruturaj Gaikwad as his deputy, looks like a star-studded outfit. The side boasts proven domestic performers and several cricketers with international exposure. Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan headlines the line-up, while young talents like Yash Dhull, Shaikh Rasheed, and Abhimanyu Easwaran are expected to play crucial roles.
The bowling attack also carries plenty of bite, with left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed and right-arm quick Akash Deep forming the pace battery. Spin responsibilities are likely to be shared between Manav Suthar and Tanush Kotian, both of whom have been standout performers in first-class cricket. With such a balanced mix of youth and experience, the Rest of India will be a stern test for the reigning Ranji champions.
Squads:
Vidarbha: Akshay Wadkar (c & wk), Yash Rathod (vc), 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
Rest of India: Rajat Patidar (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vc), Abhimanyu Easwaran, Aryan Juyal (wk), Yash Dhull, Shaikh Rasheed, Ishan Kishan (wk), Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Khaleel Ahmed, Akash Deep, Anshul Kamboj, Saransh Jain
Broadcast and Live Streaming details:
The one-off clash is being played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur, starting October 1, 2025. Cricket fans across India can follow the high-stakes encounter through both television and digital platforms.
- Broadcast: Star Sports Khel
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar
