Cricket INTL Admin October 2, 2025 0 Comments

Taide Leads Left-Handed Charge in Irani Cup Day 1 Clash: Vidarbha vs Rest of India

Left-handers stole the spotlight on the first day of the Irani Cup encounter between Ranji Trophy champion Vidarbha and the Rest of India at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha, located on the outskirts of Nagpur.

Manav Suthar, one of the country’s highly regarded left-arm spinners, made an early impact. Displaying slight drift and sharp dip, he removed Dhruv Shorey (who misread the turn) and promising Danish Malewar (edged to the keeper off a well-placed delivery) in the same over. This initial show put Vidarbha on the back foot during the morning session, giving the Rest of India a brief upper hand.

However, the script soon shifted as Taide (118 not out, 240 balls, 12 fours, 1 six), a technically sound left-handed opener, and his teammate Yash Rathod (91, 153 balls, 6 fours, 1 six), another left-hander with a flair for impressive strokeplay, took control. Together, they forged a formidable 184-run partnership for the third wicket, propelling Vidarbha into a vantage position.

If not for their impactful collaboration, Vidarbha might have struggled to reach 280 for five by stumps on the opening day of the five-day encounter.

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Their partnership showcased calm confidence and a natural understanding of each other’s play style, shining as a demonstration of fluent batting. Quick singles were seized, field gaps exploited, and the pressure steadily shifted back onto the bowlers as the pitch began to ease under the afternoon sun.

Suthar, however, ensured that the Rest of India remained competitive. Just before the second new ball was due, he tempted Rathod into a mistimed lofted shot, breaking the partnership and reinvigorating his team. Shortly before the close of play, Akash Deep, another bowler who found success, managed to draw an edge from captain Akshay Wadkar with the new ball.

Taide, undoubtedly the star of the day, benefitted from a stroke of luck during the morning session. He was bowled by Akash but was saved by a no-ball call upon replay review. Not long after, Ishan Kishan missed a straightforward catch off the same bowler, following his sharp catch to dismiss Shorey. Taide capitalized on these chances with precision, delivering crisp drives and confident pulls on his way to a century. A lofted six over long-on against Suthar marked his hundred in style.

As the day concluded, it was clear that left-handers — with both bat and ball — had left a significant mark on the match, setting the stage for an exciting next four days of competition.