Karun Nair's Vidarbha secure maiden entry into Vijay Hazare Trophy final with emphatic 69-run over Maharashtra, set up title clash with Karnataka

Karun Nair's batting onslaught was once again on display as he led from the front to catapult Vidarbha to the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-2025 final riding on a match-winning performance in the second semi-final against Maharashtra. Nair cracked an unbeaten 88 runs off just 44 balls to help Vidarbha notch an emphatic 69-run win over Ruturaj Gaikwad's Maharashtra. This crucial win secured Vidarbha's place in the final against four-time champions and Karun Nair's former team Karnataka which is slated to be played on Saturday, January 18. Notably, this will be Vidarbha's first-ever presence in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final.

Dhruv Shorey, Yash Rathod centuries in Vidarbha's stunning win

Vidarbha's dominance was evident from the outset, with Dhruv Shorey (114) and Yash Rathod (116) laying the foundation for a mammoth 380-run total in their stipulated 50 overs. The duo combined for a colossal 224-run opening partnership in just 34.4 overs, setting the tone for the innings. Even after the dismissal of Shorey and Rathod, Vidarbha maintained their momentum. Karun Nair, with his blistering 88 off 44 balls, and Jitesh Sharma's quickfire 51 off 33 balls further bolstered Vidarbha's position.

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Karun Nair, the main man behind Vidarbha's entry in Vijay Hazare Trophy final

Nair and Sharma forged a crucial 93-run partnership for the third wicket in just 10 overs, propelling Vidarbha past the 300-run mark. Nair's late assault was particularly impressive, as he plundered 24 runs from the final over, including a series of boundaries and sixes, against his former teammate, Rajneesh Gurbani. This devastating over propelled Vidarbha to an imposing total of 380/3, with over 100 runs scored in the final seven overs of their innings.

Nair's exceptional performance has significantly impacted his overall career statistics. His tournament tally now stands at an extraordinary 752 runs at an unmatched average of 752, resulting in a notable surge in his List A career average from 31.74 to 41.34. Nair's consistent batting which saw him belting five tons in the tournament, has been instrumental in driving Vidarbha to the title clash.

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Arshin Kulkarni's exploits in vain

Chasing a daunting target of 381, Maharashtra faced an uphill battle. Despite valiant efforts from Arshin Kulkarni (90), Ankit Bawne (50), and Nikhil Naik's brisk 49 off 26 balls, they could only manage 311/7. The Vidarbha bowlers, particularly pacers Darshan Nalkande and Nachiket Bhute, played a crucial role in containing the Maharashtra chase, with each claiming three wickets. Vidarbha's early breakthrough, the dismissal of Maharashtra skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad (7) by Jitesh Sharma with a spectacular tumbling catch, set the tone for the match. Although partnerships like the 62-run stand between Rahul Tripathi and Kulkarni, and the 94-run alliance between Kulkarni and Bawne, offered some resistance, Maharashtra never truly posed a serious threat to the challenging target.