Vidarbha rock former champions MP to storm into Ranji Trophy final for 3rd time, to face Mumbai in title clash

Vidarbha players celebrate after beating MP in Ranji Trophy semifinal. (X)
Vidarbha players celebrate after beating MP in Ranji Trophy semifinal. (X)

Highlights:

Vidarbha got the better of Madhya Pradesh in Ranji Trophy semifinal by 62 runs.

Vidarbha made Ranji Trophy final for the third time.

Vidarbha secured a thrilling 62-run victory over Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy semi-finals on Wednesday, March 6, setting up a final showdown with Mumbai, who had previously defeated Tamil Nadu by an innings and 70 runs on Monday. With this Vidarbha have made it to their third Ranji Trophy final. During the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons of the tournament, Vidarbha reached the finals and emerged victorious on both occasions, defeating Delhi and Saurashtra respectively. This marked the second instance where teams from the same state made it to the Ranji Trophy final.

 

Here's Vidarbha vs MP's Ranji Trophy semifinal's scorecard

 

MP fail in 321-run chase

In a tense final day chase of 321 runs for victory, Madhya Pradesh was bowled out for 258. Entering the last day needing 93 runs with only four wickets in hand, the contest was finely balanced. Yash Dubey’s crucial innings of 94 runs kept Madhya Pradesh in the hunt, but his dismissal late on Day 4 tipped the scales in Vidarbha's favor.

 

ALSO READ: India vs Pakistan's T20 World Cup match to be played in snow-covered park-turned-stadium, ICC releases gorgeous time-lapse video

 

Akshay, Yash rip through Vidarbha's batting line-up

Starting the day at 228/6, Madhya Pradesh's Saransh Jain and Kumar Kartikeya were at the crease but managed to add only 30 more runs before the side was dismissed within the first hour of play, as the remaining batters fell without putting up significant resistance.

Kartikeya and Anubhav Agarwal were both dismissed without scoring, and Saransh Jain followed for 25 runs, leaving Kulwant Khejroliya as the last wicket to fall.

Despite valiant efforts from Dubey with 94 runs and Harsh Gawli with 67, Vidarbha’s bowlers closed out the game effectively. Akshay Wakhare and Yash Thakur each claimed three wickets, while Aditya Sarwate and Aditya Thakre took two wickets apiece, sealing the win for Vidarbha.

 

MORE ON SPORTS TAK:

Sachin Tendulkar's indirect message to Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan after central contract snub, says 'when Indian players turn up for domestic..'

34-year-old Indian spinner with 542 wickets announces retirement to play in overseas T20 leagues

Mumbai Indians star shatters records, bowls fastest delivery in women's cricket history during WPL clash against Delhi Capitals

IND vs ENG: R Ashwin on cusp on 100 Tests, a look at 13 Indian players who achieved this feat before

BCCI's Apex Council to finalise central contracts, tentative domestic cricket schedule and discuss state associations' collaboration with foreign boards

Neil Wagner’s retirement was forced? Ross Taylor makes big revelation on Kiwi pacer and team amidst Test series against Australia

PCB refuses to bear Haris Rauf's injury expenses after Lahore Qalandars’ owner slammed Pakistan's cricket board