Irani Cup 2025, Day 2 Review: Easwaran leads ROI's fightback but bowlers keep Vidarbha in firm control

The second day of the Irani Cup 2025 saw notable success for bowlers from both sides as Vidarbha and Rest of India battled at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur. At stumps on Day 2, Rest of India trailed by 200 runs.

Vidarbha resumed from where they left off on Day 1, adding nearly 75 runs in the morning session. They eventually posted 342 in 101.4 overs in their first innings. Atharva Taide played a brilliant innings, scoring 143 off 283 balls, including 15 fours and a six. Yash Rathod contributed 91 runs from 153 balls, with six fours and one maximum.

Rest of India’s bowlers also made an impact, with Akash Deep (3/51) and Manav Suthar (3/74) sharing six wickets while Saransh Jain chipping in with two wickets, ensuring Vidarbha could not dominate completely.

In reply, Rest of India started positively with openers Abhimanyu Easwaran and Aryan Juyal putting on 52. However, Vidarbha bowlers struck at regular intervals, disrupting their rhythm. Easwaran scored a patient 52 off 112 balls, including six fours, while Juyal (23), Yash Dhull (11), vice-captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (9), and the wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan (1) fell cheaply.

At stumps, Rajat Patidar (42*) and Manav Suthar (1*) stood the crease, with the team on 142/5 in 53 overs. Parth Rekhade was the pick of Vidarbha’s bowlers with figures of 2/24, while Harsh Dubey, Darshan Nalkande, and Yash Thakur claimed a wicket each.

Rest of India will need to consolidate with skipper Patidar at the crease to reduce the deficit and build a competitive total in their first innings. Vidarbha, meanwhile, will aim to wrap up the opposition’s innings quickly and return to bat in their second innings to clinch the Irani Cup for the third time.