Sat Jan 18 11:10:00 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka Set Massive 349-Run Target for Vidarbha in Vijay Hazare Trophy Final
Vadodara, India – Karnataka has set Vidarbha a challenging 349-run target in the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Karnataka posted a formidable 348/6 in their allotted 50 overs at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
Smriti Ravichandran led the Karnataka charge with a magnificent century (101 runs off 92 balls, including 7 fours and 3 sixes). He received valuable support from Abhinav Manohar (79 runs) and Krishnam Srijeet (78 runs). Captain Mayank Agarwal contributed 31 runs and Anish KV added 23.
Karnataka, aiming for a record fifth Vijay Hazare Trophy title, defeated Haryana in the semi-final. They will be hoping to leverage their strong batting line-up and formidable bowling attack, which includes the impactful Prasidh Krishna, Vasuki Koushik (15 wickets in the tournament), and Abhilash Shetty (14 wickets). Shreyas Gopal’s 18 wickets further bolster their bowling strength.
Vidarbha, led by Karun Nair, secured their place in the final after beating Maharashtra. Nair, in exceptional form with 752 runs in seven matches (including five centuries and one half-century – all but one innings unbeaten), is aiming to break the record for most runs by a captain in a single Vijay Hazare Trophy season. He needs 79 runs to surpass Narayan Jagadish’s 2022-23 record of 830 runs. Mayank Agarwal also enters the final in good form with 619 runs, including four centuries.
Vidarbha, yet to win the Vijay Hazare Trophy, will need a remarkable performance with both bat and ball to overcome Karnataka’s substantial total. The match is currently underway, and the result is eagerly awaited.
First Piper 