Padikkal shines as Karnataka breaks semifinal jinx in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25

In a thrilling display of composure and skill, Devdutt Padikkal played a pivotal role in helping Karnataka secure a much-needed semifinal victory over defending champions Haryana in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. With the pressure mounting due to a string of semifinal disappointments in recent years, Padikkal's brilliant 86 off 113 balls guided Karnataka to a five-wicket win, ensuring they didn't fall short in their fourth semifinal appearance in five seasons.

With Padikkal batting at his peak, having scored a century in the quarterfinals already, Bangalore's cause was helped. The 24-year-old left-hander batted solidly, especially after Karnataka's captain Mayank Agarwal departed early. He was class by showing a lot of promise for his team during a tricky period of the chase, reaching his half-century off 72 balls with a classy display of off-side drives. This was his seventh consecutive fifty-plus score in List A cricket, an example of his consistency in the 50-over format.

Karnataka's chase was never easy on this tricky pitch where 238 runs needed to be chased. His steadying influence at the crease saw Padikkal steady the ship. He forged a crucial partnership with fellow left-hander R. Smaran, who provided a crucial 76 off 94 balls. The pair put on a 128-run stand, which not only helped Karnataka recover from a tense phase but also brought them closer to the target. Despite a 48-ball boundary drought during which the required rate was creeping toward six runs per over, Smaran broke the shackles with a six off Anshul Kamboj. This sparked a flurry of runs, with 62 runs coming off just 50 balls, helping Karnataka gain the upper hand.

Though Haryana fought back with three quick wickets, their efforts came too late in the game. Despite the late wickets adding some suspense, Karnataka’s steady approach saw them through, and they completed the chase with 238 runs for 5 wickets in just 47.2 overs.

Earlier, when it was Karnataka's turn to bowl, the Kotambi Stadium pitch still proved to be a bit unyielding. Senior pacers V. Koushik and Prasidh Krishna could not sort out their line, but in the case of rookie left-arm seamer Abhilash Shetty, there was an edge - literally speaking. He struck with the ball that swung across in his first over to take out Arsh Ranga with an outside edge. Despite the early success, Haryana seemed to settle in as Himanshu Rana and Ankit Kumar formed a nice 70-run partnership, both playing with textbook elegance.

But then, Karnataka's bowlers, led by the smart bowling of Shreyas Gopal and Hardik Raj, turned the tide. Gopal and Raj picked up key wickets, and Abhilash Shetty coming into the game and sharp catching from Padikkal and Mayank inside the 30-yard circle set off a dramatic collapse, with Haryana losing five wickets for just 57 runs, heavily swinging the momentum in Karnataka's favour.

While Anuj Thakral and Amit Rana fought back with a brisk 39-run partnership for the last wicket, Haryana was always playing catch-up. Karnataka's bowlers had already done the damage, and despite the late surge, Haryana finished their innings with 237 runs for 9 wickets in 50 overs. The disciplined bowling attack from Karnataka, particularly from Shetty, who finished with remarkable figures of 4 for 34, proved too much for Haryana.

The Karnataka side, therefore, secured their ticket to the final with a victory and would hope to put an end to the long wait for a Vijay Hazare Trophy title. Vidarbha and Maharashtra will now be seen competing with each other for a ticket to the final.

In the end, it was Padikkal's composure under pressure along with key contributions from Smaran and the bowlers that enabled Karnataka to break their semifinal curse and take a step further into the finals, keeping hopes of lifting the prestigious trophy alive.

Brief Scores:

Haryana: 237/9 in 50 overs (Himanshu Rana 44, Ankit Kumar 48; Abhilash Shetty 4/34)

Karnataka: 238/5 in 47.2 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 86, R. Smaran 76)