Irani Cup: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan Endure Failures As Patidar Fights On

It was a disappointing outing in the 2025 Irani Cup for team India hopefuls Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ishan Kishan, as both players fell cheaply on the second day representing Rest of India against Vidarbha, departing for 9 and 1 respectively. Gaikwad and Kishan batted at No.5 and No.6 respectively, but both individuals could only manage single-digit scores as Vidarbha took full control of the contest on the second day.

Starting the day on 280/5, Vidarbha tail did not wag as the reigning Ranji Trophy champions got bowled out for 342. In response, ROI started well with a fifty-run opening stand between Aryan Juyal and Abhimanyu Easwaran, but 52/0 became 124/5 in no time as four of five Vidarbha bowlers struck to leave ROI in tatters. 

Easwaran was trapped LBW by left-arm spinner Parth Rekhade after a solid fifty and, apart from him, captain Rajat Patidar (42*) was the only batter who stood up for ROI. For Vidarbha, Rekhade picked the crucial wickets of both Easwaran and Kishan. 

ROI have a stacked squad, with India internationals Akash Deep and Anshul Kamboj also playing, but it’ll require a massive turnaround for them to win the contest from here. With the ball for ROI, while Akash Deep took 3 wickets, Kamboj managed to dismiss Yash Thakur LBW.