Atharva Taide to captain Vidarbha in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024
Synopsis
Vidarbha have named left-hander Atharva Taide as captain for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with their Elite Group D campaign set to unfold in Kolkata from November 14. A blockbuster clash against Suryakumar Yadav's Mumbai at Eden Gardens on November 20 looms as the group stage highlight for a Vidarbha side still chasing their first title in the tournament.
Key Takeaways
Atharva Taide named captain of Vidarbha for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy , with a 17-member squad announced on 9 November .
Vidarbha play Elite Group D matches in Kolkata from 14 to 26 November , with 3 games at Eden Gardens .
Yash Rathod , currently with India A for red-ball games vs New Zealand A, has been included in the squad.
Harsh Dubey is unavailable, named in the India A squad for the ACC Rising Stars Men's Asia Cup in Doha (19-29 November) .
Vidarbha's standout group-stage fixture is against Suryakumar Yadav 's Mumbai at Eden Gardens on 20 November .
Vidarbha are yet to win the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in the history of the competition.
Left-handed batter Atharva Taide will lead Vidarbha in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy after the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) senior selection committee named a 17-member squad for the tournament on Monday, 9 November. Vidarbha, yet to win the premier domestic T20 competition, will play their Elite Group D matches in Kolkata from 14 to 26 November.
Vidarbha's Schedule and Group Stage Draw
Vidarbha have been placed in Elite Group D alongside Mumbai, Gujarat, Hyderabad, Odisha, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh — widely regarded as one of the more competitive pools in this edition. Three of Vidarbha's seven league games are scheduled at the iconic Eden Gardens.
Vidarbha open their campaign against Goa on 14 November, followed by a clash with Odisha on 16 November. Their Eden Gardens outings come against Hyderabad on 18 November and Mumbai on 20 November. They then face Gujarat on 22 November, Uttarakhand on 24 November, and round off the league stage against Chhattisgarh on 26 November.
Yash Rathod Included Despite India A Duty
Left-handed batter Yash Rathod, currently featuring for the India A team in red-ball games against New Zealand A, has been included in the squad. His availability will be contingent on his commitments with the A side.
Notably, left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey is unavailable, having been named in the India A squad for the ACC Rising Stars Men's Asia Cup, scheduled in Doha from 19 to 29 November. His absence is a significant blow to Vidarbha's spin options in what is a spin-friendly Kolkata surface.
Coaching Staff and Key Players
Usman Ghani continues as head coach, with Sebastian Antony serving as assistant coach in charge of fielding. Other prominent players in the squad include Aman Mokhade, Danish Malewar, Shubham Dubey, Nachiket Bhute, Praful Hinge, Darshan Nalkande, and Saurabh Dubey.
The Mumbai Fixture: Standout Clash of the Group Stage
The game against Mumbai on 20 November at the Eden Gardens is shaping up as the marquee fixture of Vidarbha's group stage. Mumbai are captained by T20 World Cup-winning skipper Suryakumar Yadav, and their presence makes the group considerably more formidable.
Full squad: Atharva Taide (captain), Aman Mokhade, Danish Malewar, Shubham Dubey, R. Samarth, Varun Bisht, Yash Kadam, Yash Rathod, Adhyayan Daga, Vedant Jajoo, Parth Rekhade, Nachiket Bhute, Praful Hinge, Darshan Nalkande, Mandar Ghodmare, Saurabh Dubey, and Abhishek Agrawal.
With an experienced coaching setup and a balanced squad, Vidarbha will be eyeing a deep run in a tournament that has so far eluded them — beginning with a tricky opener against Goa at Eden Gardens on 14 November.
Point of View
But the squad's real test is depth — particularly with Harsh Dubey ruled out for India A's Asia Cup duties. Elite Group D is arguably the toughest pool in the draw, with Suryakumar Yadav's Mumbai and a resurgent Gujarat both present. Yash Rathod's inclusion, despite active India A commitments, reflects the VCA's desire to field its strongest available side, though his availability for all seven games remains uncertain. The Eden Gardens surface will heavily reward spin, making Dubey's absence more consequential than it might appear on paper.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is captaining Vidarbha in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024?
Left-handed batter Atharva Taide has been named captain of Vidarbha for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024. The VCA senior selection committee announced the 17-member squad on 9 November.
Where will Vidarbha play their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches?
Vidarbha will play their Elite Group D matches in Kolkata from 14 to 26 November 2024, with three of their seven league games at the Eden Gardens.
Why is Harsh Dubey not in Vidarbha's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad?
Harsh Dubey is unavailable because he has been selected in the India A squad for the ACC Rising Stars Men's Asia Cup, to be held in Doha from 19 to 29 November. His absence leaves Vidarbha short of a key left-arm spin option.
Is Yash Rathod part of Vidarbha's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad?
Yes, Yash Rathod has been included in Vidarbha's squad despite currently being with the India A team for red-ball games against New Zealand A. His availability for specific matches will depend on his India A schedule.
Which is Vidarbha's toughest fixture in Elite Group D?
The game against Mumbai on 20 November at Eden Gardens is considered the standout fixture of Vidarbha's group stage. Mumbai are led by T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav, making it a high-profile encounter.
