NEW DELHI: Atharva Taide produced a hundred of rare quality and backed by a disciplined bowling effort, Vidarbha sealed a comfortable 38-run win over Saurashtra to lift their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy title on Sunday.

Vidarbha piled up an imposing 317 for eight, built around Taide’s 128 off 118 balls that included 15 fours and three sixes. In reply, Saurashtra were bowled out for 279 in 48.5 overs, falling short despite a spirited fight.

Saurashtra never quite recovered from an early wobble. Reduced to 30 for two, their situation worsened to 112 for four in the 23rd over, putting them firmly on the back foot.

The resistance was led by Prerak Mankad and Chirag Jani, who struck gritty half-centuries and added 93 runs for the fifth wicket. Mankad made 88 off 92 balls while Jani chipped in with 64 from 63 deliveries.

Their stand was based more on sensible shot selection than aggression and Vidarbha’s sloppy fielding in the middle overs also helped their cause. A couple of dropped catches and frequent misfields allowed Saurashtra to hang on longer than expected.

Mankad was reprieved on 70 off Harsh Dubey at mid-wicket, while Jani survived on 14 after being put down at long-on by Parth Rekhade. Those moments gave Saurashtra a glimmer of hope.

Bowlers finish the job

That hope faded with Mankad’s dismissal. The right-hander went back to cut Dubey but missed the line and was trapped plumb in front. Soon after, Darshan Nalkande removed Jani, whose mistimed stroke found Aman Mokhade at sweeper cover.

From there, Vidarbha’s pacers took control. Yash Thakur claimed four wickets for 50 while Nachiket Bhute picked up three for 46 as the lower order was cleaned up to spark wild celebrations.

A textbook hundred from Taide

Before the bowlers took over, Taide had laid the perfect platform with a classic one-day innings. He may not possess the typical elegance of a left-hander, but his mental strength and shot selection made him difficult to contain.

As the shadows lengthened at the BCCI Center of Excellence, Taide quietly accumulated runs, using angles and gaps smartly. There were crisp cover drives and powerful pulls over mid-wicket, yet he never appeared rushed even when Saurashtra tightened their lines.

His innings was defined by flawless pacing. Taide reached his fifty off 66 balls before shifting gears with authority. His next 50 came in just 31 deliveries, featuring five fours and two sixes, bringing up his third List A century.

He shared a vital 133-run second-wicket partnership with Yash Rathod, who played a fluent knock of 54 off 61 balls, as Vidarbha cruised at over six runs an over.

Earlier, Taide was also part of an 80-run opening stand with Aman Mokhade, who made 33. Vidarbha were well placed at 213 for two when Taide departed.

Useful contributions from the middle and lower order then pushed the total beyond 300, a score that proved more than enough as Vidarbha capped a memorable night with their first Vijay Hazare Trophy triumph.

(With PTI Inputs)