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Atharva Taide's Century Ends 5-Year Drought in Vijay Hazare Trophy Final

Vidarbha opener Atharva Taide scored a magnificent 128 runs off 118 balls in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final against Saurashtra. This century ended a five-year drought for the 25-year-old batter in List A cricket. His knock, featuring 15 fours and three sixes, helped Vidarbha build a strong total after being put in to bat. Taide had been in fine form throughout the tournament, playing crucial innings in the knockout stages.

Key Points: Atharva Taide Century Powers Vidarbha in Vijay Hazare Final

  • Century ends five-year drought
  • 128 runs off 118 balls
  • 16th batter to score ton in final
  • Crucial 80-run opening stand
  • Key player in Vidarbha's tournament run
2 min read

Vijay Hazare Trophy: Atharva Taide ends five-year drought with century against Saurashtra in final

Vidarbha's Atharva Taide scores a brilliant 128 in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final against Saurashtra, ending his five-year century drought.

"He hammered 12 fours and two sixes before completing his century. - Match Report"

Bengaluru, Jan 18

Vidarbha's opener Atharva Taide stood up for his team in the ongoing final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 against Saurashtra at the BCCI Centre of Excellence ground Number 1. The 25-year-old hit a magnificent century off just 97 balls to take his team over the 200-run mark.

Being put to bat after losing the toss, Atharva came to open the innings for Vidarbha with Aman Mokhade. The opening duo tackled the early swing from the Saurashtra bowlers and forged an 80-run opening stand.

Saurashtra finally got their breakthrough in the 18th over, when Ankur Pawar clean bowled Aman, who departed after scoring 33 runs. Despite losing his partner, Atharva continued his assault and made sure the pressure did not fall on the new batter, Yash Rathod.

The opening batter completed his hundred in the 31st over with a single. He hammered 12 fours and two sixes before completing his century. This is Atharva's first list. A century in five years. He is only the 16th batter to reach triple numbers in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Final.

Atharva finally departed on the last ball of the 36th over, when he chipped a fine yorker by Ankur Pawar into the hands of Prerak Mankad. He scored 128 runs off just 118 balls. Atharva also hit 15 fours and three sixes during his stay.

Atharva enjoyed a great run during the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, playing some crucial innings to take his team forward. He played a patient knock of 62 (72) in the quarter-final against Delhi to help Vidarbha reach 300. He also scored 80 against Assam and a 65 against Baroda earlier in January.

Atharva has played 42 List A matches and hit three centuries and six fifties with an average of 35.25.

The two sides have come through a gruelling set of matches to reach the final.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan living in India, I love seeing stories like this. The mental strength to come back from a drought and score a century in a FINAL is incredible. The pressure must have been immense. Well played, Atharva!
A
Aditya G
Finally some recognition for our domestic stalwarts! We only talk about Kohli, Rohit, Bumrah... but players like Taide are the backbone of Indian cricket. Scoring 128 at a strike rate of 108 in a final is top class. BCCI selectors, please take note.
P
Priyanka N
While the century is fantastic, let's not forget the support from Aman Mokhade. That 80-run opening stand set the platform. Cricket is a team game, after all. But yes, Taide's innings was special - 15 fours and 3 sixes shows he was dominating.
K
Karthik V
Respectful criticism: The article says he's only the 16th batter to score a century in a VHT final. That's a surprisingly low number given how many finals have been played. It shows how tough it is to perform on the big day. Hats off to Taide for joining that elite list.
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Michael C
Watching from the UK, the depth of Indian domestic cricket is astounding. A player can be out of form for years, then come back with a match-winning century in a national final. The competition must be fierce. Great story.

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