Vijay Hazare Trophy | Battle of equals in the final

Coming off superlative performances in the semifinals, both Vidarbha and Saurashtra will be buzzing with confidence as they lock horns in the title clash of the Vijay Hazare Trophy that promises to be a battle of wits as much as skill and temperament.

While two-time runners-up and reigning Ranji Trophy holders Vidarbha outplayed defending champions Karnataka in the opening semifinal, thanks to a fantastic 122-ball 138 from talented youngster Aman Mokhade, two-time VHT champions Saurashtra rode on a spellbinding 165 not out from Vishvaraj Jadeja to make a mockery of Punjab’s 292-run target in the other last-four clash.

Although individual brilliances marked their respective semifinal triumphs, both Saurashtra and Vidarbha have reached the final purely on team performances, with several members putting their hands up at various stages. It’s that collective might and team spirit that gives neither side an edge on Sunday at BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. Be it batting or bowling, both the finalists are evenly matched, and even the most daring of punters may find it hard to place their best bet on who’s going to lift the trophy. Take Vidarbha, who finished runners-up last season, for example. Opener Mokhade, who turned 25 on Friday, is leading the overall batting charts this season with 781 runs that includes five centuries at a superb strike rate of 111.57. Veteran Dhruv Shorey, a Delhi import, has yet again been a bankable man with 515 runs while Karnataka’s R Samarth, who joined Vidarbha at the start of the season, has collected 427 runs. On the bowling front also, it has been a combined effort for Vidarbha.

New-ball bowlers Yash Thakur and Nachiket Bhute are the joint highest wicket-takers for their side with 15 scalps each, with both consistently providing early breakthroughs, while back-up pacer Darshan Nalkande too isn’t very far behind with 12 wickets. Spinners Harsh Dubey and Yash Kadam have been forced to play more of a holding role, and the duo have done that job pretty well, bagging 10 and 7 wickets respectively. The story is somewhat similar for Saurashtra too. Openers Harvik Desai and Vishvaraj Jadeja are their leading scorers with 561 and 536 runs respectively, with both slamming three tons each. Middle-order batters Sammar Gajjar (430), Prerak Mankad (361) and Chirag Jani (308) have nicely chipped in whenever there has been a necessity, Saurashtra yet again bringing their team effort to the fore.

On the bowling front, Ankur Panwar has been their standout performer with 21 wickets. But Panwar’s fast-bowling colleagues, Chetan Sakariya and Chirag Jani, too, have chipped in nicely with 15 and 11 wickets respectively. And in a welcome boost, Saurashtra saw the return of their star act, Jaydev Unadkat, for the semifinal which gives them a rounded look.

Most of the knockouts at CoE have been high-scoring affairs, and the final too promises to be a run-fest. Although it’s a battle of equals, what gives Saurashtra the slightest of an edge is the 3-0 record they hold against Vidarbha in VHT matches. However, Vidarbha snapped a 4-0 streak against Karnataka on Thursday, and they’ll be gunning for the same against Saurashtra. Something’s gotta give.

Aman Mokhade (left) and Vishvaraj Jadeja the heroes for Vidarbha and Saurashtra respectively in the semifinals will be hoping to replicate their heroics when the two sides lock horns in the final on Sunday. PTI