Andhra dethroned defending champions Vidarbha with a commanding eight-wicket victory in their sixth-round Ranji Trophy 2025–26 Group A encounter at the Anantapur Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Chasing a modest target of 259, Andhra rode on a magnificent unbeaten century from Shaik Rasheed (132*), who put behind a first-innings duck with a composed, stroke-filled knock laced with 20 boundaries. Captain Ricky Bhui (64*) provided ideal support as the hosts wrapped up the chase inside the first session on the final day.
Resuming at 93 for one, Andhra faced little resistance on a placid surface against an ageing ball. Rasheed set the tone early with a crisp backfoot punch through cover, signalling Vidarbha’s looming trouble.
K.S. Bharat (43) looked fluent but fell attempting a pull off Nachiket Bhute. Any hopes Vidarbha harboured were swiftly extinguished as Rasheed and Bhui stitched together a decisive 145-run partnership off 163 balls.
Bhui, who had endured a lean red-ball run including a first-innings duck, found rhythm quickly with wristy flicks and authoritative charges down the track against the spinners. Rasheed, in contrast, relied on timing and placement, rotating strike with ease and punishing loose deliveries.
After Bhui brought up his maiden Ranji fifty of the season, Rasheed reached his third century of the campaign with a cut shot to the boundary. Fittingly, the 21-year-old sealed the win with a backfoot punch for four, arms raised as Andhra surged to the top of the Group A standings with 28 points.
📊 SCORE SUMMARY
Vidarbha
1st innings: 295
2nd innings: 191
Andhra
1st innings: 228
2nd innings: 259/2 (56.1 overs)
Result: Andhra won by 8 wickets
🧮 ANDHRA 2nd INNINGS
- Abhishek Reddy c Mokhade b Bhute – 11
- K.S. Bharat c Thakare b Bhute – 43
- Shaik Rasheed not out – 132
- Ricky Bhui not out – 64
- Extras – 9
- Total – 259/2
Fall of wickets: 15/1, 114/2
🎯 VIDARBHA BOWLING
- Nachiket Bhute: 16–2–83–2
- Darshan Nalkande: 6.4–0–28–0
- Yash Thakare: 9–0–35–0
- Harsh Dubey: 16.1–3–67–0
- Parth Rekhade: 8.2–0–38–0
🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ✔️ Shaik Rasheed scores his third century of the season
- ✔️ Andhra finish chase inside first session on Day 4
- ✔️ Vidarbha lose top spot in Group A
- ✔️ Andhra move to 28 points, strengthening knockout chances
