The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 witnessed a batting spectacle of unprecedented proportions on Wednesday, as Bengal pulled off a monumental chase to defeat Vidarbha by three wickets in a high-scoring thriller at the Sanosara Cricket Ground in Rajkot. The match, which saw a staggering 765 runs scored in 98.5 overs, will be remembered as one of the most extravagant run-fests in the tournament's history.
A Batting Masterclass from Vidarbha's Top Order
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Vidarbha's innings did not begin perfectly. The experiment of promoting Yash Rathod (11 off 12 balls) to open ended in the fifth over when he was dismissed by the experienced Mohammed Shami. However, what followed was a breathtaking display of controlled aggression that put Vidarbha in a commanding position.
Dhruv Shorey and Aman Mokhade transformed the Rajkot pitch into a batting paradise, constructing a mammoth 195-run partnership off just 170 deliveries. The duo batted with supreme confidence, finding boundaries at will against a Bengal bowling attack that had no answers. Aman Mokhade, playing the more aggressive role, raced to his maiden List A century. He broke free from the nervous nineties by hammering Shami for a six and a four in the 31st over. His brilliant knock of 110 runs from 99 balls, featuring 12 fours and 3 sixes, was cut short by a run-out in the 33rd over.
At the other end, Dhruv Shorey continued his phenomenal form, crafting a chanceless 136 off 125 balls, studded with 18 boundaries. This marked his fourth consecutive hundred in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, a remarkable feat of consistency. Late cameos from R Samarth (40 off 31) and Nachiket Bhute (38 off 16) propelled Vidarbha to a formidable total of 382 for 5 in their 50 overs.
Bengal's Fearless Chase Scripts History
On any normal day, a target of 383 would be considered insurmountable. But Wednesday was anything but normal. Bengal's reply was launched with explosive intent by openers Abhishek Porel (56 off 35 balls) and Abhimanyu Easwaran (71 off 67). They smashed 103 runs in the first 71 balls, setting a blistering platform and ensuring the required run rate never became a concern.
Even though Vidarbha struck at regular intervals, Bengal always maintained the upper hand in the chase. The pivotal knock came from Shahbaz Ahmed, who anchored the middle order with a crucial 71. The Vidarbha bowlers struggled for control, with skipper Harsh Dubey's ten overs proving particularly expensive, conceding 95 runs without a wicket.
With calm heads and powerful hitting, Bengal ensured the equation never got tense. They reached the target with seven balls to spare, finishing at 383 for 7 in 48.5 overs, sealing a famous victory. For Vidarbha, Yash Thakur and Parth Rekhade picked up two wickets each.
Aftermath and Looking Ahead
This defeat, despite a massive total, will force Vidarbha to go back to the drawing board, especially regarding their bowling plans on flat tracks. They will need to regroup quickly for their next fixture against Hyderabad in Rajkot on Friday.
For Bengal, this win is a massive statement of intent in the 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy season. Chasing down 383 will give them immense confidence and momentum for the matches ahead. The match has set a new benchmark for high-scoring encounters in Indian domestic cricket.
BRIEF SCORES: Vidarbha 382/5 in 50 overs (Dhruv Shorey 136, Aman Mokhade 110; Mohd Shami 2-65) lost to Bengal 383/7 in 48.5 overs (Shahbaz Ahmed 71, Abhimanyu Easwaran 71; Yash Thakur 2-64, Parth Rekhade 2-66) by three wickets.
Dhruv Shorey's Last Four Vijay Hazare Innings:
- 118* vs Rajasthan (QF) in 2024/25
- 114 vs Maharashtra (SF) in 2024/25
- 110 vs Karnataka (Final) in 2024/25
- 136 vs Bengal (First League match of 2025/26)
