Devdutt Padikkal’s 86-run knock powers Karnataka into Vijay Hazare Trophy final for 5th time

A clinical performance from Karnataka, thanks to a 86-run knock from Devdutt Padikkal, helped the side seal a spot in the final of Vijay Hazare Trophy. Mayank Agarwal and co. defeated defending champions Haryana by 5 wickets in the first semi-final to confirm their spot in the final for the fifth time. KAR chased down the 238-run target with five wickets in hand and 2.4 overs to spare.

Karnataka edge past Haryana to book VHT final berth

Karnataka’s best batter in the tournament – skipper Mayank Agarwal – was dismissed for a three-ball duck, handing the side an early blow in the run-chase. But the team wasn’t affected by the loss of the tournament’s highest run-scorer. Instead, Devdutt Padikkal (86) played an instrumental role in steadying the ship for the side along with Smaran Ravichandran (76). After the dismissal of Aneesh KV at the hands of Amit Rana, the duo stitched together a crucial partnership that put Karnataka in the driver’s seat in the run-chase. Padikkal was adjudged the Player of the Match.

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Padikkal’s 86-run knock off 113 deliveries was studded with 8 fours and one six. He was well on course to scoring a well deserved ton before he threw his wicket away by coming down the track to attempt a lofted shot, only to get caught out. After getting rid of the southpaw, Nishant Sindhu struck once again to get rid of Smaran. However, it was too late as Shreyas Gopal and Abhinav Manohar ensured that the team got across the line successfully in 47.2 overs.

Haryana’s top-order attempted to put up a good fight at the start of the 1st innings, with H Rana and skipper Ankit Kumar taking on the Karnataka bowlers. However, Abhilash Shetty wreaked havoc on the opposition with a four-wicket haul, restricting the side to 237 runs at the end of 50 overs. Prasidh Krishna and Shreyas Gopal grabbed two wickets each while Hardik Raj finished with one scalp to his name.