Ranji Trophy 2024-25 Vidarbha Squad: Akshay Wadkar to Lead Squad Consisting of Karun Nair and Umesh Yadav

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The 90th edition of India's premier first-class cricket tournament, the Ranji Trophy, is set to commence on October 11. The Cricket Association of Vidarbha has announced a 17-member squad. The squad will be captained by wicketkeeper-batter Akshay Wadkar.

The 2024-25 season will feature a restructured format aimed at intensifying competition and offering increased chances for teams to switch between divisions. Notably, promotion and relegation will significantly influence the season's dynamics.

Thirty-two Elite category teams are split into eight groups. Two teams with the highest points from each group will progress into the quarter-finals. The finalist of the 2023-24 season, Vidarbha has been clubbed into Group B of the Elite category along with Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Hyderabad, Puducherry, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.

The top-order batting line-up for Vidarbha includes Atharva Taide and Karun Nair. Notable batters such as Harsh Dubey and Akshay Karnewar are also part of the squad. Karun Nair, who joined Vidarbha last season, emerged as their highest scorer. Yash Rathod will be filling the gap left by the retirement of veteran batter Faiz Fazal.

The bowling attack will be led by the star pacer Umesh Yadav, who also happens to be the most experienced player in the squad. He will spearhead the pace attack along with Aditya Thakre.

Vidarbha's coaching staff will be led by Usman Ghani, with Atul Ranade serving as the assistant coach. The team, which finished as runners-up in the previous season, will kick off their Ranji Trophy campaign against Andhra Pradesh at the VCA Ground in Nagpur.

They will then host matches against Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, and Hyderabad. Their away fixtures will be against Puducherry, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan.

Vidarbha Ranji Trophy 2024-25: Full Squad

Akshay Wadkar (C), Umesh Yadav, Atharva Taide, Karun Nair, Harsh Dubey, Aman Mokhade, Yash Rathod, Nachiket Bhute, Aditya Thakare, Akshay Karnewar, Akshay Wakhare, Praful Hinge, Yash Kadam, Mandar Mahale, Shubham Kapse, Danish Malewar, Siddhesh Wath