### Vidarbha's Historic Triumph: Atharva Taide Shines in Vijay Hazare Trophy Final In a remarkable display of cricketing prowess, Vidarbha clinched their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy title by defeating Saurashtra by 38 runs in the final held at Bengaluru's Centre of Excellence. The victory was largely attributed to the stellar performance of opener Atharva Taide, who scored a brilliant 128 runs off 118 balls, leading his team to a formidable total of 317 for 8. Despite a valiant effort from Saurashtra, who managed to score 279 all out, they fell short of the target, marking a significant achievement for Vidarbha in domestic cricket history [https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/cricket/2026/jan/19/atharva-taides-century-leads-vidarbha-to-vijay-hazare-trophy-triumph]. ### Breakdown of the Match and Key Performances 1. **Match Overview** - Vidarbha set a challenging target of 317 runs after being put to bat first. - Saurashtra's chase ended at 279 runs, resulting in a 38-run victory for Vidarbha. 2. **Key Players** - **Atharva Taide**: Scored 128 runs, including 15 fours and 3 sixes, marking his first List A century in five years [https://www.newkerala.com/news/a/vijay-hazare-trophy-athrava-taide-ends-five-year-drought-937.htm]. - **Yash Thakur**: Contributed significantly with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 65 runs, effectively stifling Saurashtra's batting lineup [https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/cricket/vidarbha-vs-saurashtra-vijay-hazare-trophy-final-2026-atharva-taide-yash-thakur-in-pics]. 3. **Saurashtra's Response** - Despite early setbacks, Saurashtra's middle order fought back with notable contributions from Prerak Mankad (88 runs) and Chirag Jani (64 runs) [https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/137341/atharva-taide-ton-helps-vidarbha-clinch-vijay-hazare-trophy]. - Their partnership of 93 runs for the fifth wicket was a highlight, but ultimately, they could not sustain the momentum [https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/vijay-hazare-trophy-atharva-taides-century-lifts-vidarbha-to-317-in-final/20260118.htm]. ### Statistical Highlights and Match Impact - **Final Score**: Vidarbha 317/8 in 50 overs; Saurashtra 279 all out in 48.5 overs. - **Top Performers**: - **Batting**: Atharva Taide (128), Prerak Mankad (88), Chirag Jani (64). - **Bowling**: Yash Thakur (4/65), Nachiket Bhute (3 wickets) [https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/vijay-hazare-trophy-2025-26-vidarbha-vs-saurashtra-highlights-result-final]. ### Conclusion: A Milestone for Vidarbha Cricket **Vidarbha's victory in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final is a landmark achievement**, showcasing their growth as a competitive force in Indian domestic cricket. Atharva Taide's century not only ended his personal drought in List A cricket but also propelled his team to a historic win. The disciplined bowling performance, particularly from Yash Thakur, was crucial in defending the total against a resilient Saurashtra side. This triumph marks a new chapter for Vidarbha, establishing them as a formidable contender in future tournaments [https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/atharva-taides-century-leads-vidarbha-to-maiden-vijay-hazare-trophy-triumph-101768754692935.html].