The cricketing world witnessed a new powerhouse emerge as Vidarbha captured the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the first time in the 2025-26 season, toppling Saurashtra in the summit clash on Sunday. This List A crown, one of India’s most coveted, was forged by the heroics of five players whose performances will be remembered for years.
Final hero Atharva Taide’s century lit up the decider, fetching him Player of the Match. Delving deeper, Vidarbha’s success hinged on three batsmen and two bowlers who excelled relentlessly.
Right-hand opener Aman Ravindra Mokhade was the tournament’s batting king, piling 814 runs in 10 matches—five centuries, one fifty, average 90.44, best 150*. His marathons drained oppositions.
Dhruv Shorey smashed 515 runs in nine innings (two hundreds, one fifty), averaging 73.57 with a high of 136, securing eighth spot among run-getters and steadying the ship repeatedly.
R Samarth’s 452 runs came from eight innings in 10 games, powered by a ton and three fifties, offering versatility and punch.
Pacer Yash Thakur’s 19 wickets in nine matches (fourth overall) included a fiery 4/50 in the final, blending speed with smarts.
Nachiket Bhute’s 18 wickets complemented perfectly, his express pace dismantling lineups. Vidarbha’s triumph underscores the vibrancy of domestic talent, with these stars potentially knocking on IPL and international doors.