Sat Jan 18 17:14:44 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Clinches Fifth Vijay Hazare Trophy

**Bengaluru, India –** Karnataka has secured its fifth Vijay Hazare Trophy, defeating Vidarbha by 36 runs in a thrilling final. This victory marks their fifth consecutive win in the tournament finals, tying them with Tamil Nadu for the most titles in the competition’s history.

Karnataka’s commanding total of 348, built on a century by Smaran R (Player of the Match) and significant contributions from KL Shrijith (70s) and Abhinav Manohar (70s), proved too much for Vidarbha to overcome. While Vidarbha’s top order, led by Karun Nair (Player of the Series, 779 runs), showed early promise, the dismissal of key batsmen Yash Rathod and Nair within 15 overs shifted the momentum decisively in Karnataka’s favor.

Despite a late-innings onslaught from Harsh Dubey (63 runs, including several sixes), Vidarbha’s chase fell short. Dubey’s impressive performance, however, couldn’t prevent Karnataka from securing the victory. The final wicket fell when Darshan Nalkande was caught by Mayank Agarwal, sealing Karnataka’s triumph.

Karnataka captain Mayank Agarwal expressed his delight, highlighting the team’s resilience and the impressive performance of several young players making their debut or playing their second season. He lauded the crucial partnership between Smaran R and Shrijith, which helped solidify their lead. Agarwal emphasized that this win is particularly significant for a team undergoing a transition, providing crucial confidence for the future.

Vidarbha captain Karun Nair, despite his personal success in the tournament, graciously congratulated Karnataka and acknowledged the areas where his team could have improved. He expressed gratitude to his team and support staff, looking ahead to the remaining season.

The match concluded at 21:23 IST, marking a memorable win for Karnataka and a strong finish to the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025.

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