Vidarbha has quietly shaped several exceptional cricketers who have contributed immensely to domestic cricket yet never received the full recognition their efforts warranted. The region’s cricketing journey has witnessed numerous players who carried their team through years of consistent performance, discipline, and determination.

Despite their contributions, many were overshadowed by the glamour of metropolitan teams and national selections driven by popularity rather than pure merit. Their stories reflect not failure but persistence, as they continued to dominate the Ranji circuit and inspire local talent.

The rise of Vidarbha as a cricketing powerhouse owes much to these individuals whose efforts went beyond the scoreboards. This account highlights four cricketers from Vidarbha who did not get their due despite leaving a lasting mark on Indian domestic cricket.

1. Faiz Fazal

Faiz Fazal’s name is inseparable from Vidarbha’s cricketing transformation. He led the team to its first-ever Ranji Trophy victory in the 2017–2018 season and followed it with another title the next year, establishing Vidarbha as a formidable side. A graceful left-handed opener, Fazal made his international debut for India in 2016 against Zimbabwe, scoring an unbeaten 55, yet that match remained his only appearance for the national side. Over a domestic career spanning nearly two decades, he became Vidarbha’s highest run scorer in both First-Class and List A formats. Fazal’s leadership brought discipline and structure to Vidarbha’s dressing room, moulding young players into confident performers.

Even after years of consistent domestic success, his name seldom surfaced in discussions about India’s openers. When he retired in February 2024, he left behind a legacy of perseverance and commitment unmatched by most of his contemporaries. His career stands as a testament to how regional talent can shape the identity of a team through sustained performance and humility.

2. Aditya Sarwate

Aditya Sarwate has been one of Vidarbha’s most reliable all-rounders, excelling both as a left-arm spinner and a middle-order batter. His performance in the 2018–2019 Ranji Trophy final against Saurashtra remains etched in domestic cricket history. Sarwate took 11 wickets in the match, earning the Player of the Match award and ensuring Vidarbha’s consecutive championship win. Known for his control and flight, he became the go-to bowler in long spells where others struggled to maintain consistency. Despite producing key breakthroughs season after season, Sarwate’s name rarely appeared in national selection debates.

His batting added depth to the lineup, often stabilising innings under pressure. Sarwate’s work ethic and discipline made him a vital component of Vidarbha’s bowling unit for years. His statistics mirror his reliability, yet the absence of higher recognition underscores how domestic consistency often goes unnoticed in Indian cricket’s larger narrative.

3. Akshay Wakhare

Akshay Wakhare has been the unsung hero of Vidarbha’s bowling attack. A specialist off-spinner with classical flight and turn, Wakhare played a crucial role in the team’s dominance during the late 2010s. His match figures of 13 for 162 in a Ranji Trophy fixture stand among the best ever by a spinner from the region. Season after season, Wakhare remained among the top wicket-takers, using his accuracy and subtle variations to dismantle strong batting orders. He was part of India A squads on occasion but never advanced to the senior team despite consistent performances.

Wakhare’s influence extended beyond statistics, as he mentored young bowlers and maintained Vidarbha’s bowling balance in every format. His contributions were key in pressure situations, often breaking partnerships when the game seemed to drift away. Yet, despite his dominance in domestic cricket, his name rarely entered national selection discussions. His journey reflects the overlooked depth that domestic circuits continue to produce.

4. Akshay Karnewar

Akshay Karnewar’s cricketing story stands out for its uniqueness. Born in Nagpur, he developed the rare ability to bowl both left-arm orthodox and right-arm off-spin with equal control, a skill possessed by very few cricketers in the world. His most remarkable feat came in November 2021, when he bowled four overs in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match without conceding a single run, setting a record in Indian T20 history. The following day, he took a hat-trick, underlining his extraordinary talent. Karnewar’s dual-spin capability offered Vidarbha tactical flexibility, often giving them an edge in shorter formats.

Despite this rare versatility, he remained outside the national radar, with only brief appearances in zonal and A-level tournaments. Karnewar’s consistent domestic contributions, particularly his economy and precision, made him an invaluable player in the state setup. His case illustrates how exceptional skillsets can still be overlooked in the complex structure of Indian cricket’s talent evaluation.

The stories of these four Vidarbha cricketers capture the challenges faced by regional players in gaining recognition beyond domestic cricket. Each of them delivered match-winning performances, guided younger teammates, and carried the weight of expectations with quiet determination.

Their careers remind us that the depth of Indian cricket extends far beyond the international roster, thriving in regions that continue to produce world-class talent without fanfare. As Vidarbha continues to grow as a cricketing centre, these players’ contributions remain foundational to its success. Their consistency, discipline, and leadership laid the groundwork for a generation that now believes in competing with the best. Recognition may have eluded them, but their legacy endures in the rise of Vidarbha as a respected force in Indian domestic cricket.