Atharva Taide's Century Powers Vidarbha to Maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy Victory

Vidarbha clinched their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy title with a commanding 38-run victory over Saurashtra in a high-scoring final at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Atharva Taide's magnificent 128 and a disciplined bowling performance, led by Yash Thakur's four-fer, helped them overcome the heartbreak of last year's final loss to Karnataka. After being asked to bat first, Vidarbha posted an imposing 317 for 8, built around Taide's 118-ball knock. The opener, who had passed 50 three times in this year's tournament without managing a three-figure score, finally broke through with a century in the most important clash against two-time former winners. Taide was watchful early, taking 66 deliveries to reach his half-century as Jaydev Unadkat and Chetan Sakariya tested the Vidarbha batters with disciplined lines. The breakthrough came when the tournament's leading run-scorer Aman Mokhade chopped on to Ankur Panwar for 33, having added 80 runs with Taide. However, Taide found an able ally in Yash Rathod, who played a crucial cameo of 54 off 48 balls. The pair injected momentum into the innings with Taide unleashing a series of boundaries including two towering sixes - a delightful inside-out loft over extra cover off Dharmendrasinh Jadeja and a short-arm jab over deep square leg off Prerak Mankad. The left-hander, who survived a dubious run-out call and then a couple of scratchy moments, was eventually dismissed in the 36th over, toe-ending a lofted drive off Panwar to mid-on where Mankad held a sharp catch, but not before he had smashed 15 fours and three sixes to set up the platform for a big score. R Samarth and captain Harsh Dubey chipped in with useful contributions, but Saurashtra pulled things back in the death overs. Sakariya was particularly impressive in the 49th over, conceding just four runs and picking up a wicket, finishing with figures of 2 for 45. Chasing 318, Saurashtra suffered early blows as both openers fell within the first 10 overs to superb away-swingers. Nachiket Bhute had Harvik Desai caught for 20, while Yash Thakur dismissed the in-form Vishvaraj Jadeja, who had hammered 165 not out in the semi-final, for just 9. Prerak Mankad and Sammar Gajjar attempted to rebuild, but the required rate kept climbing as Vidarbha's spinners applied the squeeze. Darshan Nalkande broke the partnership by removing Gajjar, and when Parswaraj Rana struggled his way to 7 off 20 balls before being bowled, Saurashtra found themselves in trouble at 112 for 4 in 23 overs. Mankad found support from Chirag Jani as the duo added 93 runs for the fifth wicket, keeping Saurashtra's hopes alive. Jani compiled a fighting 64 off 63 deliveries and with 127 needed off the last 15 overs and six wickets in hand, the chase seemed manageable. But captain Dubey produced the crucial breakthrough, trapping Mankad LBW for 88 with a quicker delivery that skidded through. The dismissal opened the floodgates. Nalkande then delivered the knockout blow with a brilliant slower ball that gripped in the surface, forcing Jani to spoon a catch to long-off where Mokhade held on at the second attempt. From there, the wheels came off completely. Yash Thakur mopped up the tail with clinical precision, dismissing Unadkat and Ahir before having Sakariya trapped in front to seal a memorable victory. Thakur finished with figures of 4 for 50, while Bhute claimed 3 for 46. Despite the pressure of dew in the second innings - a factor that had made chasing easier in both semi-finals - Vidarbha's bowlers executed their plans to perfection. Their ability to take wickets at regular intervals never allowed Saurashtra to build the kind of momentum required for such a steep chase, culminating in a historic triumph for Vidarbha.