Darshan Nalkande

Vidarbha's bid to post comprehensive win in their inaugural match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy (Group B) was thwarted by an inspired Meghalaya at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Thursday.

Vidarbha all-rounder Darshan Nalkande has a long way to go but he has the talent to become a genuine all-rounder. Nalkande is just 20 but he can bowl at a decent pace. He has the capability to take the game away within no time with the bat.

Aman Mokhade's brilliant 138 powered Vidarbha to a stunning six-wicket victory over defending champions Karnataka in the Vijay Hazare Trophy semifinal. Despite Karnataka posting a competitive 280, disciplined bowling led by Darshan Nalkande's five-wicket haul restricted them. Mokhade's century, supported by Ravikumar Samarth's unbeaten 76, ensured Vidarbha chased down the target with ease.

Wicketkeeper batsman Akshay Wadkar will lead a 20-member Vidarbha squad, which includes senior India pacer Umesh Yadav, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, starting on November 4.

Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya won the toss and decided to bowl first against Chennai Super Kings in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League 2023 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday.

After firing on all cylinders so far in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), most Vidarbha batters had an off day on Monday. Skipper Atharva Taide took on the onus of seeing Vidarbha through against Pondicherry with a masterful knock at Mullanpur Stadium.

Attacking batsman Faiz Fazal will lead Vidarbha in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, the national ODI championship, while Akshay Wadkar will be his deputy.

Vidarbha were inching towards their most embarrassing defeat in List-A cricket on Sunday. Pursuing a 315-run target, all their 7 main batters were back in the hut with just 51 on the board within 15 overs. It looked like Karnataka would register a shocking result against the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy semifinalist team.

Attacking players Atharva Taide, Darshan Nalkande and Jitesh Sharma brought a sea of change in Vidarbha's approach in limited overs domestic tournaments this year. Their match-defining show not only took Vidarbha to knockouts of T20s and one-dayers but also booked their IPL ticket in the auctions for the 2022 edition.

Kshitij Dahiya and Yash Rathod hammered splendid centuries to put Vidarbha in commanding position against Baroda in the Cooch Behar U-19 Trophy match at the VCA Kalamna ground on Wednesday.

Karnataka defeated Vidarbha by four runs in a thrilling semifinal to enter the summit clash of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy national T20 tournament here on Saturday.

On debut, Darshan Nalkande walked to the crease with Vidarbha needing 83 in 58 balls. Akshay Wadkar was batting with a lot of assurance at the other end. Many would have given up but not Nalkande, who is known to be a fighter. The 19-year-old relished the challenge and came out with flying colours.

If lack of practice sessions and match practice wasn't enough, the challenging wicket and overcast conditions didn't help Vidarbha's cause as they went down fighting to Rajasthan in their opening match of Syed Mushtaq Ali Twenty20 Trophy at Emerald High School Ground in Indore on Monday. After the end of the quarantine period Vidarbha's practice was hampered by unseasonal rains and fog in Indore.

Rajasthan are heading towards an inevitable loss. It was a frustrating day for the hosts who were made to toil hard by Vidarbha batsmen who went on to score 443 runs in their second innings on Day Three of their CK Nayudu Trophy match currently underway at the KL Saini Stadium on Sunday.

Opener Avi Barot and Prerak Mankad struck half centuries before Chetan Sakariya claimed a five-wicket haul as Saurashtra recorded a comfortable 79-run win over Vidarbha in a Group 'D' match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament on Wednesday.

Former champions Vidarbha open their Ranji Trophy campaign against the Services. The match will be played in the city from January 5-8. Vidarbha have been placed in Elite Group B.