Akshay Wadkar hits another century under pressure, strengthens Test claim

Nagpur: Vidarbha captain Akshay Wadkar has once again scored a century under pressure. In the Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh at the VCA Stadium in Jamtha, he made 100 runs. This has strengthened his claim as a possible wicketkeeper-batter for the India Test team. A few weeks ago, he played the biggest innings of his career, 198 against Puducherry. One thing was common to both innings: when the top order faltered, Wadkar steadied the innings.

Vidarbha's position against Madhya Pradesh was poor at first. The team was 35/4 and then 87/6. From there Wadkar took charge of the recovery. He made 100 off 212 balls, including nine fours, and then walked off retired hurt. He added 175 runs for the seventh wicket with Nachiket Bhute, who made 97. This partnership turned the innings and gave Vidarbha a first-innings lead.

Against Puducherry, too, the situation was similar. Vidarbha were struggling at 54/5 when Wadkar put on 255 runs with Yash Rathod and then continued batting with the lower order. His innings of 363 balls ended when he was dismissed as the last batter. Vidarbha reached 428.

The quality that counts most in Test cricket was on show in these innings: handling pressure, staying at the crease for long periods, and building partnerships even when the big names are out.

In the first four Ranji matches this season, Wadkar has scored two centuries. In five innings he has made 365 runs at an average of 121.67. His wicketkeeping figures are also excellent. This season he has 14 dismissals in four matches, 12 catches and two stumpings. He made seven against Jammu and Kashmir and six against Goa. Against Madhya Pradesh, one more catch was added to his tally.

Long red-ball innings and consistently good wicketkeeping have made Wadkar's name interesting in discussions on India's Test batting depth and wicketkeeping options. India have established international players for these slots, but Wadkar's performances show how much experience and trust exist in domestic cricket.

This is nothing new. Wadkar has delivered in high-pressure matches before, including Ranji Trophy finals. His 133 against Delhi in the 2017-18 final was important in Vidarbha's first title. In the 2024 final against Mumbai, chasing a huge target of 538, he batted resolutely in the fourth innings for 102.

Wadkar has been part of all three of Vidarbha's Ranji title campaigns. In 2024-25, as captain, he led the team to its third title. In October 2025, Vidarbha under his captaincy also won the Irani Cup.

His record as captain also stands apart. In 31 completed first-class matches as captain, Vidarbha have won 23, lost two and drawn six. The win percentage is 74.19. In outright first-class wins as Vidarbha captain, he has gone past former captain Faiz Fazal.

Wadkar has more than 4,400 first-class runs, more than 190 wicketkeeping dismissals, three Ranji titles and one Irani Cup win as captain. The journey from domestic cricket to the international level is still a big challenge, and competition for a place in the India Test team is stiff. Even so, two big centuries under pressure in the opening weeks of the Ranji season, together with his wicketkeeping and captaincy record, have given his red-ball claim fresh significance.