Saurashtra advanced into yet another Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022 final after a comprehensive five-wicket win over Mayank Agarwal-led Karnataka at Narendra Modi Stadium A Ground, Ahmedabad on November 30.
Jaydev Unadkat picked up a four-fer to ensure his team is not chasing a mammoth total in the high-pressure semi-final. After winning the toss, Unadkat won the toss and opted to field first. The left-arm pacer made an impact with the new ball getting rid of Agarwal (1) and wicketkeeper-batter Sharath BR (3) in the powerplay overs.
After a slow start, Nikin Jose's ressistance came to an end. Prerak Mankad broke the third-wicket partnership with the wicket of Nikin Jose who scored 12 runs from 33 deliveries. Mankad got the wicket of Pandey in the same over for a three-ball duck as Karnataka found themselves struggling at 47/4 in the 19th over.
Samarth R needed support from the other end but Shreyas Gopal gave in to the pressure of dot balls as well. Gopal could score just nine runs from 31 deliveries. Karnataka lost half of their side for 81 in the 29th over.
In the 33rd over, Samarth got to his half-century with a boundary. As wickets fell at the other end, he got to the milestone from 90 deliveries. Manoj Bhandage who was looking positive and stitching a crucial partnership with Samarth got run out trying to take a third run. He scored 22 runs from 27 deliveries.
Krishnappa Gowtham came in to bat and Unadkat returned to the attack. The pacer got Gowtham out for a five-ball duck. As slog overs started Samarth hit a six off Unadkat to get the score past 150. With the intention of posting a respectable total, he went for another big shot but got caught. The opener scored 88 runs from 135 deliveries including four fours and one six.
Not much damage was done after Samarth's wicket. Ronit More (16) got bowled by Parth Bhut in the 48th over whereas Vasuki Koushik got run out in the final over. Karnataka got all out for 171 with five balls left in the innings.
Chasing 172, Saurashtra got off to the worst possible start. Openers Harvik Desai and Sheldon Jackson got out for two-ball ducks. Vidwath Kaverappa struck in first over whereas Koushik got the better of Jackson in the second over.
Jay Gohil and Samarth Vyas walked out to bat when the score was 0/2. They stitched a crucial 75-run partnership for the third-wicket to get the run chase back on track.
Gowtham got the breakthrough with the wicket of Vyas (33) in the 19th over. The wicket did not affect the run chase. Mankad walked out with the intent to score freely. He scored 35 runs from 32 deliveries but missed his half-century as leggie Gopal got his wicket. Gohil played a steady knock and got to his half-century. He got out in the 31st over becoming Gowtham's second victim of the day. He scored 61 runs from 82 deliveries including eight fours and one six. After the wicket, Arpit Vasavada (25) and Chirag Jani (13) ensured that Saurashtra reach home comfortably with 82 balls left to spare.
Saurashtra will now take on Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Maharashtra in the final at the same venue on December 2.
Impressed with Gohil’s temperament under pressure, Unadkat gave his ‘Player of the Match’ award to his teammate. “I would like to give this Player of the Match to Jay Gohil. The way he came in after two early wickets, it was very good. I would want him to come and collect this award,” Unadkat said in the post-match presentation.
