Karnataka vs Vidarbha | Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2025/26 | 1st Semi-Final

That draws the curtains on this contest as Vidarbha storm into the final, sealing their spot in the summit clash where they await the victor of the 2nd semi-final between Saurashtra and Punjab, which will be played on January 16th, with live action commencing at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT), so do join us early for the pre-match build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Aman Mokhade is the Player Of The Match for his sensational century.

Earlier in the game, Vidarbha produced a disciplined bowling performance to bundle defending champions Karnataka out for 280 in 49.4 overs in this semi-final clash. After Karnataka elected to bat, they were rocked early by a hostile opening spell from Yash Thakur, but Karun Nair and Krishnan Shrijith staged a recovery with a solid 113-run partnership. However, the momentum shifted back to Vidarbha as the standout bowler Darshan Nalkande claimed an impressive 5/48, breaking the stand and wrapping up the tail to keep the target within reach.

As the game reached its closing stages, Samarth applied the finishing touches, batting with a professional air that left no room for a late Karnataka comeback. It was a difficult outing for the Karnataka bowling unit, which struggled to find its rhythm on a surface that offered assistance. Aside from Abhilash Shetty, who consistently asked questions of the batters and picked up three, the rest of the attack lacked the necessary bite to penetrate Vidarbha's solid defense. While Vidyadhar Patil managed to pick up a solitary wicket, the collective failure of the unit to build sustained pressure meant Vidarbha remained in total control, marching into the title decider with their heads held high.

Chasing a target of 281, Vidarbha faced an early setback with the loss of their first wicket, but the composure shown by the top order quickly silenced any doubts. Aman was joined by Dhruv Shorey, and together the pair forged a steady partnership that stabilized the ship and took the sting out of the initial Karnataka attack. This stability paved the way for a marathon 147-run partnership between Aman and Ravikumar Samarth, a stand that effectively sealed Karnataka's fate. Samarth was equally impressive, showing great temperament to notch a vital half-century, ensuring that the momentum remained firmly with the chasing side as they approached the finish line.

In a clinical display of power and precision, Vidarbha have dismantled Karnataka’s title defense to secure their spot in the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. The foundation for this commanding victory was laid by the bowlers, specifically Darshan Nalkande, whose relentless accuracy and ability to strike at crucial junctures limited Karnataka to a manageable total. Once it was time for the chase, Aman Mokhade took center stage, delivering a masterclass in limited-overs batting. His spectacular century was the cornerstone of the innings, allowing Vidarbha to navigate the pressure of a high-stakes semifinal with remarkable ease and breeze past their opponents without any significant hiccups.