Vidarbha have advanced to the Vijay Hazare Trophy final.
Three domestic players, Darshan Nalkande, KL Shrijith, and Aman Mokhade, who went unsold in the IPL 2026 auction, have produced an excellent show for their respective teams in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025/26 semi-final.
Former Gujarat Titans (GT) pacer Nalkande has struck the defending champions Karantaka’s line-up with a fiery five-wicket haul in the semi-final of India’s domestic one-day event. His economical spell in the Karnataka vs Vidarbha clash conceded only 48 runs, as the joint most successful team of the tournament got bundled out for only 280 with two balls remaining.
This is the seamer’s third fifer in List A cricket. Notably, the 27-year-old has been on spectacular form in the tournament so far, scalping 12 wickets in just four matches.
On the other hand, ex-Mumbai Indians (MI) wicketkeeper Shrijith was the lone batter to back Karun’s fight after two early wickets. His near run-a-ball 54, comprising seven boundaries, is the second-highest contribution to Karnataka’s total. It also marks the gloveman’s second half-century in the event following a match-winning 77 against Tamil Nadu.
Moreover, Delhi Capitals’ (DC) star top-order batter Karun anchored the innings to put up a gritty fifty-plus knock in the VHT 2025-26 semi-final. But Nalkande dismissed him after a well-made 76, which included eight fours and a maximum.
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The league’s highest run-getter Aman Mokhade has steered the chase in the Karnataka vs Vidarbha first semi-final with a magnificent 138. His innings reflected sheer brilliance, laced with 12 fours and two over-boundaries.
Vidarbha have beaten Karnataka by six wickets with more than three overs remaining to avenge their last edition’s defeat in the final. However, the 24-year-old has enjoyed a stellar run throughout the one-day tournament. He has notched up a remarkable 781 runs in nine matches, averaging a stunning 97.62.
The batter’s heroics in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 also include five hundreds and a half-century as he became the joint-fastest to reach 1,000 runs in List A cricket. The side would hope to carry on the momentum in the summit clash on January 18 to clinch their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy silverware.
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