Vidharbha off-spinner Akshay Wakhare returned with a five-wicket haul to help India Red beat India Green by an innings and 38 runs and clinch the Duleep Trophy title on Saturday.
Wakhare (5/13) spun the web around India Green batsmen to bowl them out for 119 in 39.5 overs in the second innings on the fourth day.
India’s Red’s title triumph was the only outright result in the four matches played in the season opening tournament.
Earlier, India Red extended their lead to 157 runs as Aditya Sarwate (38) and Jaydev Unadkat (32 not out) batted in a resolute manner, resuming at the overnight score of 345 for 6.
Ankit Rajpoot and left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja finished with three wickets each.
Mumbai batsman Siddhesh Lad was the highest scorer with 44 (80 balls, 6 fours) as India Green batsmen fell in quick succession to Wakhare, who bowled impressively.
Besides Wakhare, pacer Avesh Khan (3/38) took three wickets.