On March 2, in front of their fervent home supporters at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur, Vidarbha triumphed over the heartache of losing the 2023–24 Ranji Trophy final to win the coveted tournament for the third time.

Vidarbha recorded eight straight victories throughout that season, and they took the lead in the first innings of three games, including the championship match versus Kerala. Thanks to Yash Rathod and Harsh Dubey, the Akshay Wadkar-led team also topped the individual batting and bowling categories.

With 960 runs in 10 games, Rathod was the season’s top scorer, while Dubey took home the Ranji Trophy record for most wickets in a season with 69.

Rathod discusses Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy victory, the atmosphere that has contributed to their success, his incredible performances, and more in an exclusive interview with IANS.

How has it been to experience the joy of being a part of Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy-winning squad?

A. We almost missed winning the title last year, so it’s both an amazing and heartbreaking sensation. However, we have ultimately emerged victorious this year. I am thus feeling quite content and nice. I witnessed the final victories in 2017–18 and 2018–19, and winning the Ranji Trophy was one of my fantasies.

Winning that coveted trophy was one of my ambitions at the moment, and this year we succeeded. I’m feeling great right now since I was the top run scorer for both the Vidarbha squad and India, which makes it even more memorable. Being at the top of the batting and bowling statistics with Harsh was another wonderful sensation.

Q. What were your preseason objectives, and to what extent did you succeed in achieving them?

A. I had set a target for myself before the season started: I wanted to score more than 1000 runs in Ranji season. Prior to the season, I had this strategy, and both my coach and captain supported it. They made it very clear to me how you must perform this season.

Since they had already informed me of the number I would bat in the middle order, that information was really helpful to me. That clarity thus greatly aided my preparation. Now that I’m on the verge of doing this, our coach and captain deserve the recognition.

Q. Discuss briefly the impact of captain Akshay Wadkar and coach Usman Ghani.

Since I scored almost 500 runs in six games last year, A. Usman sir has had a significant impact. Following the conclusion of the previous season, we took some time to analyze the footage and determine what we did well, what we need to improve, and what we need to improve for the next one.

We will thus proceed as planned and address these technological issues during the off-season. We received the outcomes of the things we had planned for and spoken about throughout the off-season. Usman sir deserves a great deal of praise for this.

Since the most crucial factor for a player is the level of security they may have about the game they will be playing, Akshay is among the greatest captains I have ever played under. He was pretty open about it even last year, saying, “Honey, you will have plenty of opportunities if you get to play a match.” You’ll receive four innings. It will be nice if you perform. But be prepared since you will have four chances.

Clearly communicating to a player that they will have a lot of opportunities to prove themselves, what their responsibilities as a player are to the team, and their role with the bat was crucial. I was given this information during the off-season. It wasn’t just me; the whole squad benefited from the clarity he provided, which enabled us to win the trophy.

Q. With five hundred and three fifties, your conversion rate has been excellent. What has been the secret, then?

A. I scored three fifties and one hundred last year. I missed the Duleep Trophy as a result. Therefore, it was evident from the beginning of the season that I would need to raise the score to three figures if I reached fifty. Since scoring hundreds helps you play at a higher level, like as the Duleep Trophy, India “A,” and India, I was particularly motivated to make it happen.

The value of fifty runs has decreased due to the increased value of three-figure mark scores. Additionally, I am pleased with the performances I gave for the team in those matches against Puducherry and Uttarakhand since I fulfilled the team’s requirements and we won as a result.

How much have you learned from watching Dhruv Shorey and Karun Nair, two experienced batters?

A. Working with both of them has been excellent. I’ve been with them for the last two seasons and have gained a lot of knowledge about how to approach the game, interact with people, and remain a human person both on and off the field.

They also provided timely feedback on minor technical adjustments, how to perform under pressure, how to see the game when you are having trouble, and how the team can go forward from there. These recommendations were quite helpful to me since, from last year to this season, everything I’ve learned from them both has been very beneficial.

Q. You have had championship success since your 2021 Ranji Trophy debut. Could you describe how you went from not being a regular to now being a reliable batting force?

A. The trip has been excellent since it is a marvel to be included in a Ranji Trophy squad that has won consecutive seasons. It is difficult to get a spot in Vidarbha because of the fierce competition. I participated in two games, but I didn’t play very well.

However, I returned to the fundamentals of the game and had to wait since it was difficult to get on the squad. I was waiting for a chance while constantly preparing. In the first four games of the previous season, I was not given any chances. Then, in the sixth game of the previous year, I had a chance, and I seized it.

I have been a regular player for the squad ever since. I prepared myself well for that level as I waited for the opportunity because I knew that when I did have the chance at this point, I should be completely ready, not feel anxious or self-conscious, and I should give it my all.

Q. Vidarbha won the championship in front of around 3,000 home supporters and several family members. How valuable was this victory moment in front of them?

A. My dad was at the ground for the first time, so it was an amazing sensation. I wanted him to see me get to the top, and he had to see me play. My dad had come for the first time, but my mom always comes to watch the game.

He was overcome with emotion when we won that title in front of him, and I was very proud of us for taking home such a large and esteemed trophy in front of our loved ones. Another unique experience is winning in front of your home crowd because they will support you no matter what you do.

Q. Do other state teams ask you about the secret that you believe Vidarbha has used to win three Ranji Trophy titles?

A. It involves planning and considering how to proceed throughout the season. The CADC Chairman, Prashant Vaidya, deserves great praise. The most crucial factor and the main cause of the significant changes we have seen in first-class cricket is his vision for how we will advance in each season.

Even among all the players, we get along incredibly well and have a great sense of camaraderie. Regardless of whether someone performs or not, we always cheer each other on and provide a lot of support. However, we are always there for one another. We usually sit in a group, chat, and have a good time rather than spending most of our time in our rooms.

We play together because we have a strong relationship, which is what keeps us going. Two or three individuals from other states have questioned us about the many changes made to the Vidarbha system that have allowed you to achieve such positive outcomes over the years.

My response to them was, “We have a great bond.” Every child in this group has previously participated in and won championships in age-group cricket. We are benefiting from our knowledge of how to prevail under such duress.

Q. What are your plans for the future now that you have won this championship?

A. Playing for India is my desire. Second, I’d want to play in the IPL. My strategy is straightforward, though: I want to play in the Duleep Trophy, then India A, and then try to get into the Indian squad as soon as possible.

I’m now 24 years old, and I want to play for India in the next two years, at the age of 25 or 26. In order to boost my chances of playing for India A or India, I just need to execute in whatever occasion that presents itself.