Vidarbha overcome Madhya Pradesh in Ranji Trophy semis: Key stats
Vidarbha clinched a thrilling victory against Madhya Pradesh in the semi-finals of the 2024 Ranji Trophy season at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground in Nagpur. Vidarbha claimed a 62-run win. MP ended Day 4 on 228/6 and needed another 93 runs more to win. However, MP were folded for 258 as Vidarbha claimed the tie in the morning session. Here are further details.
Summary of the match
Avesh Khan claimed a four-fer for MP in the first innings as Vidarbha were dismissed for a paltry score of 170. Karun Nair scored 63 runs for his side. In response, Himanshu Mantri's 126-run knock helped MP get to a score of 252/10. Umesh Yadav and Yash Thakur claimed 3-fers. Vidarbha managed 402/10 as Yash Rathod smashed 141 runs. MP saw Anubhav Agarwal claim a fifer. Chasing a tricky score, MP were bundled out for 258.
Nair scores crucial runs
Senior player Nair helped Vidarbha get past 150 in the first innings with a neat 63-run effort. He smashed nine fours and faced 105 deliveries. In the second innings, he scored 38. As per ESPNcricinfo, Nair has 616 runs at 41.06 in the 2024 Ranji season. He has two fifties and two tons from nine matches this season.
Avesh Khan finishes with five scalps in the match
Avesh was excellent in the first innings and picked up 4/49 from 15 overs. In the second innings, the Indian pacer managed 1/73 from 19 overs. With five scalps in the match, Avesh has raced to a total of 165 wickets from 43 matches. He picked up 11 wickets from 4 matches in the 2024 Ranji season.
Himanshu Mantri scored a cracking ton in MP's first innings
Himanshu was the star batter for Madhya Pradesh on Day 2 against Vidarbha. He faced 265 balls for his 126-run knock. He scored 8 runs in the second innings. In the 2024 Ranji season, Himanshu finished with 647 runs from eight matches. He averaged 46.21 with the help of five fifty-plus scores. He smashed three tons and two fifties. He has 1,845 runs in FC cricket at 39.25.
Yash Thakur leads Vidarbha's charge with the ball
For Vidarbha, Yash was the pick of the bowlers. He claimed successive three-fers in the match. In six matches this season, Yash owns 21 scalps at 26.85. Umesh did well with 3/40 in the first innings. He went wicketless in the second. Akshay Wakhare finished with five wickets in the match, including a three-fer (3/42) in the second innings.
Yash Rathod slams a majestic 141
Vidarbha managed a serious 400-plus score in their second innings as Yash led the charge with a solid 141-run score from 200 balls. He smashed 18 fours and two sixes. Earlier, he scored 17 runs in the first innings. In five matches this season, Yash managed 456 runs at 57. He slammed his maiden century, besides owning three fifties.
Mokhade and Wadkar chip in
Aman Mokhade and Akshay Wadkar scored 59 and 77 for Vidarbha in their second innings. Aman faced 100 balls for his 59, slamming seven fours. Wadkar managed his 77 from 139 deliveries. He hit eight fours. In nine matches, Wadkar now owns 530 runs in the 2024 Ranji season at 37.85. He registered his seventh fifty of the tournament.
Dubey and Gawli's efforts go in vain
MP saw opener Yash Dubey strike a fabulous 212-ball 94 in their second innings. He agonizingly missed out on a deserved century. He smashed 10 fours. Dubey had earlier managed 11 runs in the first innings. Dubey finished with 615 runs in the 2024 Ranji season. He averaged 38.43 with the help of six fifties. Harsh Gawli scored 67 for MP as well. He hit 11 fours in an 80-ball effort. In 8 matches, he scored 480 runs this season.
A 3rd Ranji final for Vidarbha
Vidarbha have booked a third appearance in the Ranji final. They had reached their first final in the 2017-18 edition, winning the same. Vidarbha defended their title in 2018-19. In the 2024 Ranji, Vidarbha will take on Mumbai, who trounced Tamil Nadu in a home semi-final in under three days. The match begins on March 10, and will be played in Mumbai.
