Taide's unbeaten 118 guides Vidarbha to 280/5 on Day 1 of Irani Cup

Vidarbha reached 280 for 5 at stumps on the opening day of the Irani Cup on Wednesday after electing to bat against a Rest of India side at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Atharva Taide anchored the innings with an unbeaten 118 off 240 balls while Yash Rathod scored 91, and the hosts built a substantial partnership to take control of the five-day contest that runs from October 1 to 5.

Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar won the toss and opted to bat. After a testing start in which left-arm spinner Manav Suthar removed two top-order batters in the morning, Taide and Rathod combined for a 184-run stand that steadied the innings and shifted momentum to the Ranji Trophy champions. Rathod struck six fours and a six in his 91 before falling in the final session, while Taide reached his century with a lofted six and remained not out as play ended after 84 overs.

Scorecards show Rest of India pacer Akash Deep, making his return to competitive cricket following an injury setback on the England tour, finished the day with figures of 2 for 35 in 14 overs. Suthar provided early breakthroughs for Rest of India and is recorded with three wickets for the day, while other pace...