Nagpur:12October2026
Nagpur: Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar has strengthened his credentials as a potential Indian Test wicketkeeper-batter with another century under pressure, scoring 100 against Madhya Pradesh in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. The innings comes just weeks after his career-best 198 against Puducherry, with both knocks demonstrating his ability to hold the innings together when the top order struggles.
Facing Madhya Pradesh at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha, Vidarbha were reduced to 35/4 and subsequently 87/6 before Wadkar once again anchored the recovery. He scored 100 from 212 deliveries, including nine boundaries, before retiring hurt. His 175-run seventh-wicket partnership with Nachiket Bhute, who scored 97, turned the innings around and helped Vidarbha take the first-innings lead.
The circumstances were remarkably similar to his 198 against Puducherry last month. With Vidarbha struggling at 54/5, Wadkar combined with Yash Rathod for a 255-run partnership before continuing to bat with the lower order. His 363-ball innings, which ended with him being the last man dismissed, helped Vidarbha recover to 428.
These performances have highlighted a quality particularly relevant to Test cricket: the ability to absorb pressure, occupy the crease for extended periods and build partnerships even when recognised batters have been dismissed.
With two centuries in his opening four Ranji matches this season, Wadkar has accumulated 365 runs in five innings at an average of 121.67.
His wicketkeeping numbers have been equally impressive. Across four matches this season, Wadkar has accounted for 14 dismissals, comprising 12 catches and two stumpings. He registered seven dismissals against Jammu and Kashmir and six against Goa, before adding another catch against Madhya Pradesh.
The combination of substantial red-ball innings and consistent wicketkeeping makes Wadkar an interesting name in the wider conversation surrounding India’s Test batting depth and wicketkeeping options. While India have established international players competing for those positions, Wadkar’s performances illustrate the experience and stability available in domestic cricket.
Importantly, this is not a recent development in his career. Wadkar has repeatedly performed in high-pressure matches, including Ranji Trophy finals. His 133 against Delhi in the 2017–18 final was instrumental in Vidarbha winning their maiden title. In the 2024 final against Mumbai, he scored a determined 102 in the fourth innings while attempting to chase a formidable target of 538.
Wadkar has been part of all three of Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy-winning campaigns, captaining the side to its third title in 2024–25. He subsequently led Vidarbha to the Irani Cup title in October 2025, adding another major domestic trophy to his leadership achievements.
His captaincy record further distinguishes him among experienced domestic cricketers. Across 31 completed first-class matches as captain, Wadkar has led Vidarbha to 23 victories, two defeats and six draws, with a win percentage of 74.19 per cent. He has also surpassed former skipper Faiz Fazal in outright first-class victories as Vidarbha captain.
Such a record reflects not only individual consistency but also an ability to manage pressure, lead a team through difficult situations and deliver results over several seasons.
In recent years, discussions around India’s Test batting have frequently centred on consistency in the middle order and the importance of building partnerships after early wickets. Wadkar’s domestic record offers an example of precisely those qualities. His value extends beyond that of a conventional wicketkeeper-batter, with his ability to stabilise an innings providing an additional dimension to his batting.
Wadkar brings experience rather than promise alone. His record includes more than 4,400 first-class runs, over 190 wicketkeeping dismissals, three Ranji Trophy titles and an Irani Cup triumph as captain.
The transition from domestic cricket to the international level remains a significant challenge, and competition for places in India’s Test side is considerable.
Nevertheless, two substantial centuries under pressure in the opening weeks of the Ranji season, alongside his wicketkeeping and leadership record, have given Wadkar’s red-ball credentials renewed significance.
For a cricketer who has spent years delivering for Vidarbha in some of domestic cricket’s biggest matches, the latest century provides another compelling addition to a growing body of work.
