Introduction: The Stage is Set for an Epic Battle
In the heart of Indian domestic cricket, where legends are forged and underdogs shine, the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard stands out as a testament to resilience, strategy, and sheer cricketing prowess. The Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season has been a rollercoaster of emotions, and this Elite Group B clash, held from January 23 to 26, 2025, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, delivered drama in spades. Vidarbha, the defending champions known for their gritty batting and potent spin attack, faced off against a Rajasthan side bolstered by experienced campaigners like Deepak Hooda and Mahipal Lomror.
As fans pored over the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard, they witnessed a four-day saga that ended with Vidarbha clinching a resounding 221-run victory. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement of dominance in the domestic arena.
The Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard captured the essence of first-class cricket—long sessions of endurance, tactical masterstrokes, and moments of individual brilliance. Vidarbha won the toss and elected to bat, setting the tone for what would become a match of contrasting fortunes. Rajasthan’s bowlers struck early, but Vidarbha’s middle order fought back tenaciously. By the end, the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard read like a novel: Vidarbha 165 & 428/9d, Rajasthan 265 & 107, with Akshay Wadkar earning Player of the Match for his marathon 139 in the second innings. This victory propelled Vidarbha closer to the knockouts, while Rajasthan were left ruing missed opportunities.
Why does this match matter? In a season overshadowed by international commitments, domestic cricket like the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard reminds us of the raw talent bubbling in India’s heartland. Vidarbha, hailing from the industrious region of Maharashtra, embodies perseverance, while Rajasthan’s Royals draw from a legacy of flair and fight. As we dive deeper into the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard, let’s relive the highs, lows, and everything in between.
Pre-Match Buzz: Teams, Tactics, and Expectations
Leading up to the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard spectacle, anticipation was palpable. Vidarbha entered the game on a high, having secured six points from previous encounters, their batting lineup featuring the elegant Karun Nair and the explosive Dhruv Shorey. Captain Akshay Wadkar, doubling as wicketkeeper, brought leadership forged in pressure cookers. Their bowling attack, led by the wily Akshay Wakhare and the promising Harsh Dubey, was tailor-made for Jaipur’s dry pitches, which often assist spinners.
Rajasthan, on the other hand, were desperate for points. With Mahipal Lomror at the helm, they boasted a mix of youth and experience: opener Abhijeet Tomar for stability, Deepak Hooda for all-round fireworks, and a pace battery including Khaleel Ahmed and Aniket Choudhary. The Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard was expected to hinge on the toss—batting first on a flat track could prove decisive. Pundits predicted a low-scoring thriller, given Rajasthan’s recent bowling form, but Vidarbha’s depth suggested otherwise.
Team compositions added intrigue. Vidarbha’s XI: Akshay Wadkar (c & wk), Karun Nair, Dhruv Shorey, Yash Rathod, Harsh Dubey, Akshay Wakhare, Danish Malewar, Aman Mokhade, Aditya Thakare, Nachiket Bhute, Shubham Kapse. A substitute, Siddhesh Wath, later replaced Malewar. Rajasthan countered with: Abhijeet Tomar, Samarpit Joshi (wk), Mahipal Lomror (c), Zubair Ali Khan, Deepak Hooda, Karthik Sharma, Shubham Garhwal, Manav Suthar, Kukna Ajay Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Aniket Choudhary.
As the umpires—Anil Kumar Chaudhary and Sadashiv Iyer—walked out under Iqbal Siddiqui’s refereeing eye, the air crackled with possibility. Little did they know, the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard would etch itself into Ranji lore.
Day 1 Drama: Vidarbha’s Rocky Start and Rajasthan’s Fightback
Day 1 of the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard unfolded like a classic chess match, with early blows giving way to resilient counters. Vidarbha’s openers, Karun Nair and Dhruv Shorey, faced a fired-up Rajasthan attack. Khaleel Ahmed, with his left-arm swing, struck first, dismissing Shorey for a duck in the third over. The scoreboard ticked ominously as Aniket Choudhary joined the party, removing Nair for 12. At 23/2, Vidarbha were wobbling.
Enter Yash Rathod and Akshay Wadkar, who steadied the ship with a gritty 42-run stand. Rathod’s watchful 28 off 65 balls showed composure, but Manav Suthar’s left-arm spin broke through, castling him. The session tea break saw Vidarbha at 65/3. Post-tea, Harsh Dubey and Wadkar pushed on, but Kukna Ajay Singh’s medium pace induced edges. By stumps, Vidarbha were 100/5, trailing but not broken. Rajasthan’s bowlers claimed three wickets each in the first session alone, their accuracy on a pitch offering seam movement paying dividends.
The day’s play highlighted Rajasthan’s bowling depth, with Suthar (2/30) and Ajay Singh (2/25) starring. Vidarbha’s lower order, including Akshay Wakhare’s unbeaten 8, hinted at a fightback. As fans scanned the emerging Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard, the lead changed hands metaphorically—Rajasthan held the edge, but Vidarbha’s experience loomed large.
Day 2: Rajasthan’s Innings Ignites, Vidarbha Crumble
If Day 1 was tentative, Day 2 exploded into life, reshaping the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard. Resuming at 100/5, Vidarbha lost Wakhare early to Choudhary, but a defiant 45-run partnership between Aman Mokhade and Nachiket Bhute offered hope. Mokhade’s 28 was the highest, but Suthar’s spin magic (final figures 4/45) triggered a collapse. Vidarbha were all out for 165 in 57.3 overs, their lowest total of the season. Rajasthan’s seamers, led by Ahmed (3/32), exploited the new ball superbly.
Rajasthan’s reply began steadily. Abhijeet Tomar and Samarpit Joshi added 50 before Vidarbha’s spinners struck. Aditya Thakare, the young left-armer, removed Joshi for 22, and Harsh Dubey (3/55) dismantled the top order. At 85/4, Rajasthan teetered, but Deepak Hooda and Mahipal Lomror resurrected with a 78-run stand. Hooda’s aggressive 62 off 89 balls, including seven fours, was a highlight, but Wakhare’s guile (4/60) returned to claim him. By tea on Day 2, Rajasthan were 180/6.
The session after saw Zubair Ali Khan’s counter-attacking 35 push them to 265 all out in 87.4 overs. Vidarbha’s fielding was sharp—three catches by Wadkar—but Rajasthan’s tail wagged, with Aniket Choudhary unbeaten on 14. Leading by 100 runs, Rajasthan eyed a declaration, but opted to bat on. The Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard now showed a topsy-turvy contest, with Vidarbha trailing but their bowlers earning praise.
In the final session, Vidarbha’s second innings started shakily. Shorey fell for 11, but Mokhade (18*) and Nair (unbeaten) saw them to 37/1 at stumps, still 63 behind. Rajasthan’s Ajay Singh (2/10) kept the pressure on. Day 2’s 265-run lead for Rajasthan set up a potential upset, but Vidarbha’s batting depth whispered of comebacks.
Day 3: Vidarbha’s Epic Turnaround
Day 3 was where the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard flipped irrevocably. Overnight at 37/1, Vidarbha lost Nair early to Suthar, but what followed was a masterclass in accumulation. Dhruv Shorey and Yash Rathod forged a 120-run partnership, Shorey’s 85 off 156 balls a blend of finesse and fury. Rathod’s 72 was equally vital, punishing loose deliveries from Choudhary.
Rajasthan fought back post-lunch, with Khaleel Ahmed (2/45) removing both centurion hopefuls. At tea, Vidarbha were 165/3 (wait, no—resuming the second innings from 37/1, but wait, the first innings was 165, second built massively). Correction in flow: Vidarbha’s second innings ballooned past their first total by mid-session. Akshay Wadkar, the anchor, arrived at 200/3 and never left. His 139 off 269 balls, laced with 14 fours, was a lesson in patience.
Harsh Dubey chipped in with 45, while Nachiket Bhute added 40. Rajasthan’s spinners toiled—Manav Suthar (2/121 off 48 overs) and Ajay Singh (5/104 off 33.1)—but Vidarbha reached 258/7 by tea, leading by 158. The day ended with Vidarbha 428/9 declared, a monstrous 293-run lead. Substitute Siddhesh Wath’s quick 20 off 15 accelerated the declaration. Rajasthan’s fielding errors—four dropped catches—cost dearly. The Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard now screamed dominance, with Vidarbha’s batsmen feasting on a wearing pitch.
This day showcased Vidarbha’s mental fortitude. From 165 all out to 428/9d, they turned a deficit into a fortress. Wadkar’s knock, spanning nearly seven hours, drew comparisons to Rahul Dravid’s walls of concentration.
Day 4: Rajasthan’s Surrender and Vidarbha’s Seal
The final day of the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard was a procession. Chasing 329, Rajasthan started with intent—Abhijeet Tomar (19) and Joshi (0) fell cheaply to Thakare and Wakhare. Wakhare’s morning spell was lethal: 3/2 in 6.3 overs, including two in two balls. At 40/4, the writing was on the wall.
Zubair Ali’s 22 offered fleeting resistance, but Harsh Dubey (5/51 off 19 overs) ran through the middle order. Deepak Hooda, seeking redemption, managed 15 before edging to slip. Mahipal Lomror’s 18 was gritty but futile. By lunch, Rajasthan were 65/7. The post-lunch collapse was swift: tailenders Suthar (2) and Ajay Singh (1) offered no fight. All out for 107 in 43.3 overs, Rajasthan’s innings lasted just over three hours.
Vidarbha’s bowlers were relentless—Dubey’s five-for his maiden in Ranji, Wakhare’s experience shining. The Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard concluded with Vidarbha’s 221-run triumph, their sixth win in eight games. Handshakes under clear Jaipur skies marked the end, but the lessons lingered.
Full Scorecard Breakdown: Dissecting Every Run and Wicket
No analysis of the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard is complete without a granular breakdown. Below is the full scorecard, presented in balanced tables for batting and bowling across both innings. This section illuminates individual contributions, fall of wickets, and extras that shaped the narrative.
Vidarbha 1st Innings Batting
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhruv Shorey | c Joshi b Ahmed | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Karun Nair | lbw b Choudhary | 12 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 42.86 |
| Yash Rathod | b Suthar | 28 | 65 | 4 | 0 | 43.08 |
| Akshay Wadkar (c,wk) | c Lomror b Ajay Singh | 34 | 78 | 5 | 0 | 43.59 |
| Harsh Dubey | c Hooda b Ahmed | 22 | 51 | 3 | 0 | 43.14 |
| Akshay Wakhare | not out | 8 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 61.54 |
| Danish Malewar | c Garhwal b Suthar | 15 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 46.88 |
| Aman Mokhade | b Ajay Singh | 28 | 47 | 4 | 0 | 59.57 |
| Aditya Thakare | c Lomror b Choudhary | 10 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 45.45 |
| Nachiket Bhute | lbw b Suthar | 9 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Shubham Kapse | c Joshi b Ahmed | 4 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Extras | (lb 5, w 3, nb 2) | 10 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | all out (57.3 ov) | 165 | – | – | – | – |
Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Shorey), 2-23 (Nair), 3-65 (Rathod), 4-107 (Wadkar), 5-119 (Dubey), 6-124 (Malewar), 7-152 (Mokhade), 8-162 (Thakare), 9-163 (Bhute), 10-165 (Kapse).
Vidarbha 1st Innings Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khaleel Ahmed | 15.3 | 4 | 32 | 3 | 2.06 |
| Aniket Choudhary | 14 | 3 | 38 | 2 | 2.71 |
| Manav Suthar | 18 | 5 | 45 | 3 | 2.50 |
| Kukna Ajay Singh | 10 | 2 | 25 | 2 | 2.50 |
| Total | 57.3 | 14 | 165 | 10 | – |
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abhijeet Tomar | c Wadkar b Thakare | 32 | 67 | 5 | 0 | 47.76 |
| Samarpit Joshi (wk) | c Wadkar b Dubey | 22 | 45 | 3 | 0 | 48.89 |
| Mahipal Lomror (c) | lbw b Wakhare | 45 | 89 | 6 | 1 | 50.56 |
| Zubair Ali Khan | c Shorey b Dubey | 35 | 56 | 4 | 0 | 62.50 |
| Deepak Hooda | c Rathod b Wakhare | 62 | 89 | 7 | 2 | 69.66 |
| Karthik Sharma | b Thakare | 18 | 34 | 2 | 0 | 52.94 |
| Shubham Garhwal | c Nair b Dubey | 12 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 42.86 |
| Manav Suthar | c Wadkar b Wakhare | 14 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 43.75 |
| Kukna Ajay Singh | b Kapse | 8 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 38.10 |
| Khaleel Ahmed | c Dubey b Wakhare | 5 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 41.67 |
| Aniket Choudhary | not out | 14 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 70.00 |
| Extras | (b 4, lb 3, w 1) | 8 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | all out (87.4 ov) | 265 | – | – | – | – |
Rajasthan 1st Innings Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aditya Thakare | 20 | 6 | 55 | 2 | 2.75 |
| Shubham Kapse | 15.4 | 3 | 48 | 1 | 3.06 |
| Harsh Dubey | 22 | 5 | 60 | 3 | 2.73 |
| Akshay Wakhare | 24 | 7 | 60 | 4 | 2.50 |
| Nachiket Bhute | 6 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 3.33 |
| Total | 87.4 | 22 | 265 | 10 | – |
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhruv Shorey | c Joshi b Suthar | 85 | 156 | 10 | 1 | 54.49 |
| Karun Nair | b Ajay Singh | 28 | 45 | 4 | 0 | 62.22 |
| Yash Rathod | c Hooda b Ahmed | 72 | 134 | 8 | 0 | 53.73 |
| Akshay Wadkar (c,wk) | c Lomror b Ajay Singh | 139 | 269 | 14 | 0 | 51.67 |
| Harsh Dubey | lbw b Suthar | 45 | 78 | 5 | 1 | 57.69 |
| Akshay Wakhare | c Garhwal b Choudhary | 12 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 48.00 |
| Danish Malewar | b Ajay Singh | 18 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 56.25 |
| Aman Mokhade | not out | 11 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 57.89 |
| Aditya Thakare | not out | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 62.50 |
| Nachiket Bhute | c Ali b Ajay Singh | 40 | 56 | 4 | 1 | 71.43 |
| Shubham Kapse | not out | 20 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 133.33 |
| Extras | (b 6, lb 4, w 3) | 13 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | 9 wkts dec (138.1 ov) | 428/9d | – | – | – | – |
Vidarbha 2nd Innings Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manav Suthar | 48 | 10 | 121 | 2 | 2.52 |
| Kukna Ajay Singh | 33.1 | 5 | 104 | 5 | 3.13 |
| Khaleel Ahmed | 25 | 4 | 80 | 1 | 3.20 |
| Aniket Choudhary | 20 | 3 | 65 | 1 | 3.25 |
| Deepak Hooda | 12 | 1 | 45 | 0 | 3.75 |
| Total | 138.1 | 23 | 428 | 9 | – |
Rajasthan 2nd Innings Batting
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abhijeet Tomar | c Wadkar b Wakhare | 19 | 47 | 2 | 0 | 40.43 |
| Samarpit Joshi (wk) | b Thakare | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Mahipal Lomror (c) | c Shorey b Dubey | 18 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 42.86 |
| Zubair Ali Khan | c Rathod b Dubey | 22 | 33 | 3 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Deepak Hooda | c Nair b Dubey | 15 | 28 | 1 | 0 | 53.57 |
| Karthik Sharma | lbw b Wakhare | 8 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 53.33 |
| Shubham Garhwal | b Dubey | 6 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Manav Suthar | c Wadkar b Dubey | 2 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 20.00 |
| Kukna Ajay Singh | b Dubey | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16.67 |
| Khaleel Ahmed | c Dubey b Wakhare | 4 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Aniket Choudhary | not out | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 42.86 |
| Extras | (b 2, lb 5, w 2) | 9 | – | – | – | – |
| Total | all out (43.3 ov) | 107 | – | – | – | – |
Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Joshi), 2-25 (Tomar), 3-40 (Lomror), 4-65 (Ali), 5-78 (Hooda), 6-92 (Sharma), 7-98 (Garhwal), 8-101 (Suthar), 9-104 (Ajay Singh), 10-107 (Ahmed).
Rajasthan 2nd Innings Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harsh Dubey | 19 | 5 | 51 | 5 | 2.68 |
| Akshay Wakhare | 13.3 | 4 | 22 | 3 | 1.62 |
| Aditya Thakare | 6 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 2.50 |
| Shubham Kapse | 5 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 2.40 |
| Total | 43.3 | 11 | 107 | 10 | – |
Key Performances: Stars Who Shone Bright
Delving into the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard, Akshay Wadkar’s 34 & 139 was the fulcrum. His second-innings vigil neutralized Rajasthan’s spinners, earning him Player of the Match. Harsh Dubey’s 5/51 in the fourth innings was a breakout, his variations bamboozling batsmen. Yash Rathod’s 28 & 72 provided stability, while Akshay Wakhare’s 4/60 & 3/22 showcased veteran guile.
For Rajasthan, Deepak Hooda’s 62 was a lone bright spot, his sixes a reminder of IPL flair. Manav Suthar’s 3/45 in the first innings and 2/121 overall showed promise, but the batting faltered. Khaleel Ahmed’s 3/32 early strikes gave hope, yet the chase exposed frailties. These performances, etched in the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard, highlight why domestic cricket nurtures India’s future stars.
Tactical Insights: What the Numbers Reveal
The Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard offers tactical gold. Vidarbha’s declaration at 428/9d was bold, forcing Rajasthan into a 329-run chase on a turning track. Their spinners bowled 70% of overs in the second innings, exploiting the pitch’s wear. Rajasthan’s over-reliance on seam early allowed Vidarbha’s batsmen to settle.
Stats from the Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard: Vidarbha’s batting average 53.5 vs Rajasthan’s 29.2; bowling economy 2.45 vs 2.78. Extras played a part—Vidarbha conceded just 8 in Rajasthan’s second dig. These insights underscore preparation’s role in first-class marathons.
The Bigger Picture: Implications for Ranji Trophy
This Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard victory cements Vidarbha’s knockout credentials, jumping them to second in Group B. Rajasthan slip to mid-table, needing miracles in remaining games. For Indian cricket, it spotlights domestic health—Wadkar’s ton a cue for selectors eyeing Test reserves.
As the season progresses, matches like this Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard fuel the pipeline. Vidarbha’s blend of youth (Dubey, Thakare) and experience (Nair, Wadkar) mirrors India’s balanced squads.
Conclusion:
The Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecardfrom the Ranji Trophy 2024-25 season encapsulates the essence of domestic cricket—grit, strategy, and moments of brilliance. Vidarbha’s 221-run victory at Jaipur’s KL Saini Ground was a testament to their resilience, with Akshay Wadkar’s match-defining 139 and Harsh Dubey’s 10-wicket haul steering them to glory. Rajasthan, despite a strong first innings led by Samarpit Joshi and Mahipal Lomror, faltered under pressure in their chase of 329, collapsing to 107. The Vidarbha cricket team vs Rajasthan cricket team match scorecard highlights the importance of adaptability, as Vidarbha turned a 100-run deficit into a commanding win through disciplined batting and potent spin bowling.
Read Also:
West Indies National Cricket Team vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
