Vidarbha has seen a steady rise in young sporting talent making their mark in diverse disciplines. These athletes, representing cricket, speed skating, athletics, wrestling, and bodybuilding, have emerged through dedicated training and significant achievements at state, national, and in some cases, international levels.

Their performances have brought attention to the region’s sporting potential beyond mainstream cricket. Each has demonstrated their capability through measurable achievements, breaking records, winning medals, or becoming pioneers in their field. The following profiles outline the factual details of their progress, focusing solely on verifiable performances.

Together, they offer a picture of the breadth of athletic promise within this region of Maharashtra.

1. Harsh Dubey – Cricket

Harsh Dubey has become one of the most notable cricketers to emerge from Vidarbha in recent years. Playing as a left-arm spin all-rounder, he delivered a historic performance in the 2024–25 Ranji Trophy by taking 69 wickets in the season. This achievement set a new all-time record for most wickets in a single Ranji season. In addition to his bowling, Dubey contributed significantly with the bat, scoring approximately 472 runs over the tournament. His combined efforts earned him the Player of the Series award, underscoring his importance to Vidarbha’s campaign.

Such statistics are rare for an all-rounder in domestic cricket, and his consistency across multiple matches was a key factor in his team’s strong showing. Dubey’s name now stands in the Ranji records, placing him alongside some of the most accomplished performers in Indian domestic cricket history.

2. Nikhilesh Tabhane – Speed Skating

In the field of roller speed skating, Nikhilesh Tabhane has worked both as an athlete and as a promoter of the sport in the region. He hosted the Vidarbha-level championship titled "Rising Star 2.0" in Nagpur on 22 January 2023. Through his academy, Nikhilesh Tabhane Skates World (NTSW), he has trained numerous competitive skaters. His own credentials include recognition as an Asian medalist, which adds weight to his training programmes. The championship he organised brought together young competitors from across the region, creating a platform for emerging talent in a sport that receives less media coverage compared to mainstream events.

Hosting such events also helps create a pathway for athletes to transition from district-level contests to national championships. His dual role as a competitor and mentor has strengthened the base for skating in Vidarbha.

3. Janhavi Hirudkar – Athletics

Middle-distance running in Vidarbha gained attention when Janhavi Hirudkar won gold in the U-18 girls’ 1500 m at the 7th Khelo India Youth Games in 2025. She completed the race in 4:35.69, a performance that placed her among the leading junior athletes in the country. Hirudkar has also secured medals in other domestic youth events, reinforcing her status as a consistent performer. Her win at the Khelo India Youth Games came in a competitive field, where maintaining pace, stamina, and race strategy is essential. The event’s national scope means her timing is officially recorded and comparable with peers across India.

This achievement also reflects the growing competitive standard in athletics training facilities and coaching within Nagpur. Her progress offers a verifiable benchmark for aspiring middle-distance runners in the region.

4. Smriti Srinath – Wrestling

From Akola, wrestler Smriti Srinath secured a bronze medal in the girls’ 62 kg freestyle wrestling category at the 2025 Khelo India Youth Games. In her medal match, she defeated her opponent from Rajasthan with a commanding 10-0 scoreline. This result shows her ability to dominate a bout through technique and physical preparation. Wrestling, particularly in youth categories, requires both discipline-specific training and strength conditioning, and her medal position confirms competitive readiness at a national level.

The Khelo India Youth Games platform also offers exposure to professional coaching and scouting, making her medal more significant for her career trajectory. Her achievement adds to the list of Vidarbha athletes making an impact in sports beyond cricket and athletics.

5. Kishan Tiwari – Bodybuilding

Kishan Tiwari became the first bodybuilder from Vidarbha to win a Mr India title in the classic category in March 2018. This national event, held in Pune, is a recognised competition in India’s bodybuilding calendar. His victory in the classic category, which emphasises symmetry, proportion, and muscular conditioning, marked a milestone for bodybuilding in the region. Competing and winning at this level requires sustained discipline in nutrition, training, and competition preparation. Tiwari’s win was covered by national sports and fitness media, confirming its authenticity and competitive value.

His achievement represents a rare instance of national recognition for a Vidarbha athlete in a sport dominated by participants from other parts of the country. This accomplishment remains an important reference point for bodybuilders from the region aiming to compete at a national scale.

These athletes represent distinct sporting disciplines, yet share a record of measurable, documented achievements that have earned them recognition beyond local circuits. Their progress illustrates the scope of sports development in Vidarbha when talent is supported with access to competitive platforms.

Each has reached a level where their performance is recorded in official results, medals, or championship records, allowing for objective assessment of their abilities.

The variety of sports covered here reflects a widening of the region’s sporting identity. They stand as examples of athletes who have reached notable milestones early in their careers and whose progress is traceable through confirmed results. With their current momentum, these sportspersons are already significant figures in the factual sporting record of Vidarbha.