New Delhi, Jan 21 (NationPress) The current Ranji Trophy title holders, Vidarbha, have enriched their trophy collection by securing the Vijay Hazare Trophy after defeating Saurashtra by 38 runs on Sunday. Known for their prowess in red-ball cricket, Vidarbha has now filled a significant gap in their domestic accolades with this 50-over championship.

This Vijay Hazare Trophy victory highlights the influence of coach Usman Ghani, enhancing an already remarkable portfolio that includes wins in the Cooch Behar Trophy (2017/18), Vinoo Mankad Trophy (2018/19, 2022/23), Ranji Trophy (2024/25), Duleep Trophy (2025), and the Irani Cup (2025).

In a candid interview with IANS from Anantapur, where Vidarbha will launch their Ranji Trophy phase two against Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, Ghani discussed the significance of the Vijay Hazare Trophy victory, captain Harsh Dubey, leading scorer Aman Mokhade, the emergence of numerous match-winners, and his coaching philosophy. Here are the highlights of the interview:

Q: How significant is this Vijay Hazare Trophy win for your coaching career?
A: This trophy is one that we will celebrate for a long time since it marks our first senior white-ball trophy. Over the past five to six years, we have performed well in white-ball cricket, and this win is as monumental as our Ranji Trophy victory. It holds a special place for our association.

Q: What brings you the most pride in coaching this Vidarbha team?
A: As a fellow Vidarbhaite, I understand the struggles we faced in the past and the need for a shift in mindset. With excellent infrastructure and support from the association, we finally implemented the necessary coaching strategies, leading to our success.

We owe a lot to our former president, Shashank Manohar, who was instrumental in developing our coaching programs from the grassroots level. His vision has cultivated a strong player base, which is now yielding results.

Q: What are your thoughts on skipper Harsh Dubey?
A: Harsh is a perceptive and intelligent leader. He has earned the respect of his teammates and embodies the unity that Vidarbha is known for. He is still learning, but he adapts quickly.

Q: How did you unlock Aman Mokhade's potential this season?
A: I have a long-standing relationship with these players and know their capabilities. Aman has shown promise from his junior days, and despite the competition, he stepped up when it mattered.

Q: What can you say about contributions from players like Rathod, Nalkande, Taide, Shorey, and Bhute?
A: Our team's success is a collective effort, with different players stepping up when needed. It's not about individual glory; it's about playing for the team.

Q: What coaching philosophy do you adhere to?
A: I emphasize self-discipline and self-belief among my players. I encourage them to focus on their skills and build confidence, which diminishes the fear of failure.

Q: How do you view your role as a coach?
A: I consider myself an emotional coach focused on instilling belief and camaraderie within the team. I stress the importance of representing our state and supporting one another.

Q: What was the turning point that led to this victory after last year's runner-up finish?
A: Last year, we were unbeaten until the final but faltered in critical moments. This year, we learned from our mistakes and prepared meticulously, determined to avoid repeating past errors.

Q: How did you celebrate this victory?
A: After our triumph, we quickly shifted focus to our upcoming Ranji Trophy match against Andhra in Anantapur. While we had a brief celebration, there's more to come when we return to Nagpur on January 26.

Q: There are comparisons between you and Chandrakant Pandit. What’s your view on this?
A: Every coach has a unique journey. I have learned from him, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such talented players. Success is a collective effort.