KAR VS HAR LIST%20A

Right then! A match which lasted a shade over 97 overs but cannot be classified as a thriller, can it? Or maybe we are just too harsh and want nerve-wrackers every game! The first semifinal is done and Karnataka are through, but whom do they meet? Two in-form teams led by resurgent captains clash in the second semifinal - Vidarbha and Maharashtra - at this very same ground, on Thursday, 16th January, 2025. The first ball will be bowled at 1.30 pm local (0800 GMT) but our build-up will begin well in advance. So please do tune in early. Before that, you can catch all the action from the different leagues. Right now, the ILT20 and the SA20 are going on, while the Bangladesh Premier League resumes after a break on Thursday. Plenty of cricket, enjoy! ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Victorious skipper of Karnataka, MAYANK AGARWAL, is in for a chat. On being asked about the statistics of Karnataka having won all 4 previous finals that they have qualified in, he says it's something he wasn't aware of but says that it goes to show how well they have been performing as a team in big games. Mentions that there were a few things that the team spoke of after the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, majorly on winning key moments which is what is happening right at the moment. Says there is always a lot to learn and they will look to get better. Appreciates the way Padikkal and Smaran batted and says it's nice to see the youngsters putting their hands up and performing well for the team.

DEVDUTT PADIKKAL HAS BEEN NAMED AS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH, for his wonderful 86. Padikkal says that he definitely enjoys playing this format and adds that whenever he gets to play for Karnataka, it brings out the best in him. On asked about his initial plan, Devdutt says that he and Smaran Ravichandran were only looking to play on the front foot, get that momentum towards the ball and move the hands through the line. Admits that it would have been great to reach a century but is happier to see his team into the final.

Haryana's skipper, ANKIT KUMAR, says that they were short by 20-30 runs after the kind of start they got and lost momentum. Adds that the team has been trying hard but these things happen in a game or two.

... THE PRESENTATION ...

Earlier in the day, Haryana lost their way from a good position. They were invited to bat on a tricky deck and they had reached 102/1, but then lost their way from there, just about managing to play out their 50 overs, that too, due to a last-wicket surge. Abhilash Shetty stood out for Karnataka, with 4 wickets but in reality, it was a total team effort with 4 out of the 5 bowlers picking up wickets. Please stay tuned for the presentation...

A pitch which required technically solid players. Karnataka employed only 5 bowlers, but picked up 9 wickets. Haryana employed as many as 7 bowlers, but could pick up only 5 wickets. That's because they lacked one proper bowler and more importantly, on this wicket, a proper spinner. Remember, Yuzvendra Chahal was left out of the squad for this trophy due to his off-field controversies and dare I say, he would have been more than a handful on this wicket. Haryana lacked that 5th proper bowler, who could not sustain the pressure created by Anshul Kamboj, Anuj Thakral and Amit Rana. Add to it, with so many left-handers, Nishant Sindhu started to lose his length and line and the batters prospered. Amit Rana was outstanding, with figures of 10-0-29-1 but his side would have loved more wickets.

It was an inning solidified by two left-handers. Karnataka lost skipper Mayank Agarwal early, for a duck, but then they added 190 runs for the next 2 wickets. Devdutt Padikkal was at the centre of both those stands, making a magnificent 86. He was supported well by Smaran Ravichandran, who made 76 of his own and the duo were involved in a 128-run stand for the third wicket, arguably, which sealed the deal. The southpaws showed how to bat on this tricky wicket, absorbing the pressure initially, not taking the risks, getting themselves set and then, playing their shots. It was almost as if watching batters play out two sessions of Test cricket, where, they took their time but eventually, made it up later.

It was a difficult pitch to bat on and when such a deck comes in front of the players, it is those who have excellent skills that prevail. First, with the ball, Karnataka kept Haryana stifled for most of their innings and then, with the bat, despite some really good bowling by Haryana, batted really well to just transfer the pressure back onto the opposition. In the end, a few quick wickets did give the fielding side some hope, but it was a bridge too far.

A comprehensive win for Karnataka. The scorecard summary might show it to be a close game but did not actually seem that way during the run chase. This is the 5th time that KARNATAKA HAVE REACHED THE FINAL OF VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY and on the previous four occasions, they have gone on to lift the trophy!

KARNATAKA ARE THROUGH TO THE GRAND FINALE! Strays on the pads, on a length, Abhinav Manohar misses to glance it away. It pins on the thigh pad and deflects toward the deep fine region. They cross! With this, the defending champions, Haryana are knocked out!

SCORES ARE LEVEL NOW! Sumit rolls his fingers and takes the pace off, bowls a slower bumper outside off, Shreyas Gopal waits for it and creates room for himself by backing away. Taps it to the cover-point gap for a single.

We are gonna need one more over. Sumit Kumar has been given the agony of probably bowling the last over of the match. 4-0-32-0 so far.

Short and drifting into the pads, Shreyas Gopal turns it around to square leg for a single. Karnataka just two runs away now.

Tossed right up, on off, Gopal drives it on the full but straight to cover.

Full at the stumps, Shreyas Gopal taps it to mid off.

FOUR! Shot! A good effort, but in vain! Just outside off on a length, this is guided away to deep third. The fielder from the inner ring gives it a long chase to the deep. He slides and flicks the ball back into the playing area. Now, the question is whether his feet were in contact with the rope while the ball in hand. A bit of good effort or presence of mind from Amit Rana as he lifts his right leg in the air, but his left shoe is a bit of touch and go. Split-screen angles come up now to scrutinize it. The TV umpire checks thoroughly and confirms that he had the ball in his hand while his left boot contacted the boundary rope.