The Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) felicitated its Senior Men’s Team for winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy for the first time in 2025-26 season.
At a glittering function held at the VCA Recreation Club banquet hall in Jamtha on 2nd August, 2026, the members of the winning team, as well as the support staff, were presented mementos to mark the occasion.
Former ICC Chairman and past president of the BCCI & VCA, Mr Shashank Manohar, who was the Chief Guest, gave away the mementos to the players alongside Guest of Honour Mr Pravin Amre.
Following an audiovisual presentation on the Vidarbha team’s winning campaign, Mr Prashant Vaidya, Chairman of the Cricket Administration and Development Committee of the VCA, lauded the players for their stupendous show.
In his brief address, Mr Manohar expressed his happiness at the consistency shown by the Vidarbha players. “Our men’s teams have won almost every trophy in domestic cricket in the past 10-12 years. It is time now for our girls to step forward. Given the right support and encouragement, I am confident that they will soon start winning tournaments,” Mr Manohar said.
Mr Amre, who is now a celebrated coach, reminded the players that “success is never an accident.” He reminded all that the seeds of success were sown by Mr Manohar and nurtured by Mr Prashant Vaidya.
“Vidarbha is now reaping the fruits of success. Winning for the first time is always difficult. It is harder still to repeat. I urge you to take it up as a challenge and come up with a repeat show,” Mr Amre said.
CADC Chairman, Mr Vaidya said: “Hats off to our boys for showing incredible resilience. In the 2024-25 season we lost the Vijay Hazare Trophy final to Karnataka in Vadodara. The manner in which our boys bounced back to claim our first major trophy in white-ball cricket speaks volumes about their mental toughness. I am so proud of them.”
Special mementos were presented to Harsh Dubey for making his Team India debut in ODI cricket versus Afghanistan and Yash Thakur for making his T20I debut versus Zimbabwe in Harare.
Vidarbha opener Aman Mokhade, who became the fastest to reach 1000 runs in List A cricket, getting there in just 16 innings, was warmly applauded when he came onstage to receive his memento.
Aman topped the batting chart in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, making 814 runs in 10 matches, averaging 90.44 with five centuries and a half-century.
VCA Hon. Secretary, Mr Badkas saluted the “indomitable spirit” that defines Vidarbha cricket. “Winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the country’s premier one-day tournament, speaks volumes about the dedication and commitment displayed by every player, coach, support staff member, and administrator who contributed to this memorable success.
“The VCA congratulates the players for their outstanding performances and the coaching and support staff for their tireless efforts behind the scenes for creating an environment where talent can flourish and champions can emerge.”
