Karnataka Clinches Thrilling Victory to Secure Spot in Vijay Hazare Trophy Semis
Author: Joy Sarcar
Updated At:
Karnataka is in the semifinals, and Baroda is out of the race. After a nail-biting quarterfinal match at the Moti Bagh Stadium in Vadodara, Karnataka took over Baroda by five runs, securing a spot in the semifinals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Padikkal Takes the Driver's Seat
With the coin flipping on Karnataka's side, the team chose to bat first. However, Mayank Agarwal, the captain, fell cheaply, leading to a shaky start. With every fan biting their nails, Devdutt Padikkal walked in.
Showcasing pure class, he built a brilliant 133-run partnership with Aneesh KV, who scored 52 runs. Adding a pinch of stability to the innings and setting a solid foundation, these two young guns pulled Karnataka to a decent position.
While Baroda's off-spinner Mahesh Pithiya got on the nerves of every batsman in the tournament, Padikkal played fluently. Tackling all types of deliveries with the perfect footwork, he reached his century off 94 balls. After a solid foundation for the team, Padikkal eventually departed for 102 off 99 balls.
After his wicket, a bunch of players followed Devdutt. With the middle order of Karnataka failing to make an impact, Abhinav Manohar and Shreyas Gopal stood out. They played explosive cameo knocks, taking the team to a competitive total of 281-8.
Baroda’s Looked Start from the Start
Ninad Rathva gave a decent start to Baroda. However, he eventually fell into the trap of Abhilash Shetty. With his fall, Shashwat Rawat and Atit Sheth took charge. Rawat scored 104 runs, and Sheth smashed 56 runs, anchoring the innings with a 99-run partnership.
After Seth's departure, Krunal Pandya joined Rawat for a 55-run stand for the third wicket, keeping Baroda in the game. While the game was slowly shifting towards Baroda, Karnataka hit back with quick wickets. Wicketkeeper Krishnan Shrijith stunned everyone with a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Pandya off Vasuki Koushik’s bowling.
Karnataka’s Bowling and Gun Fielding Turned the Game
From 185-2, Baroda slipped to 201-5, all thanks to the amazing bowlers Shreyas Gopal and Vasuki Koushik, who took two wickets each. With the wickets of Vishnu Solanki and Shivalik Sharma, the game turned in Karnataka's favor.
While other Baroda batsmen were struggling to tackle the tricky balls of the Karnataka bowlers, Rawat continued his fight, ending up with his century in the 44th over. A late surge from Bhargav Bhatt and Raj Limbani reignited some hopes in Baroda’s fans, bringing the target down to 13 runs off the final over.
The Final Over Action
With the fans at the edge of their seats, rookie left-armer Abhilash Shetty got the charge to bowl the final over. The pressure mounted high with Bhargav Bhatt hitting a boundary to reduce the equation to 7 off 2 balls. However, R. Smaran saved the match with a brilliant throw from the deep, resulting in Bhatt’s run-out off the final ball, sealing Karnataka’s close victory.
This thrilling match not only showcased Karnataka’s determination but also became a talking point among fans of online cricket betting in India, who eagerly followed every twist and turn.
So, Karnataka is in the semis, with Pakkikal and the team chasing the trophy. Who are you supporting in the semifinals?
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