Vidarbha secured their place in the Ranji Trophy final after a thrilling 62-run victory over Madhya Pradesh in a nail-biting semi-final encounter at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. The win sets up a mouthwatering final clash against Mumbai, who dominated their semi-final against Tamil Nadu.
MP’s Chase Falters Despite Early Fight
Needing 321 runs for victory on the final day, Madhya Pradesh began their chase with cautious optimism. However, their hopes were dealt a blow early on as Vidarbha’s pace duo of Aditya Thakare and Yash Thakur struck twice in quick succession.
Yash Dubey (94) provided the lone bright spark for MP, battling through a shaky middle order collapse. He anchored the innings with a fighting knock but lacked adequate support from his teammates.
Thakur’s Crucial Wicket Triggers MP Collapse
The turning point in the match arrived when Yash Thakur dismissed the in-form Saransh Jain (23). This crucial wicket triggered a rapid decline in MP’s chase, as they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Vidarbha Bowlers Seal the Win for Ranji Trophy Final
Thakare and Yadav continued their impressive spell, taking two wickets each and leaving MP reeling at 258/8. The writing was on the wall for MP, and their resistance finally ended when Kulwant Khejroliya (14) was dismissed by Thakur, handing Vidarbha a well-deserved victory.
Vidarbha’s Redemption in Ranji Trophy Final: Third Time’s the Charm?
This win marks Vidarbha’s third appearance in a Ranji Trophy final. They will be aiming to claim their third title after winning the tournament in 2017-18 and 2018-19. However, they face a formidable opponent in Mumbai, who are known for their dominance in the domestic circuit.
The final, scheduled to start on March 10th, promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the most successful teams in Indian domestic cricket. Can Vidarbha complete their redemption story and claim another Ranji Trophy crown, or will Mumbai add another title to their already illustrious trophy cabinet?