Deepak Hooda's incredible 180-run knock steers Rajasthan into Vijay Hazare Trophy final

Deepak Hooda's stunning counter-attacking knock propelled Rajasthan into their first Vijay Hazare Trophy final in 16 years. His heroic knock of 180 off 128 balls demolished Karnataka's hopes and etched his name in cricketing history.

Despite a difficult start, Hooda, in partnership with Karan Lamba, amassed a brilliant 255 runs for the fourth wicket, propelling Rajasthan to a historic victory. Karnataka's innings had an early setback with captain Mayank Agarwal falling for a mere 13. However, Abhinav Manohar played a pivotal role, scoring a brilliant 91 off 80 balls, steering Karnataka to a competitive total of 282. Despite the early setbacks, Rajasthan showcased resilience, thanks to Hooda's amazing century and Lamba's crucial support.

Deepak Hooda, who started cautiously, notched up his half-century with a huge six, paving the way for a flurry of fours and sixes. His partnership with Lamba was nothing short of brilliance, turning the tables on a once-dominant Karnataka. The final blows came from Lamba, finishing the game with a flourish.

In the end, Rajasthan emerged victorious, marking a historic journey to the Vijay Hazare Trophy final. Now going forward, Rajasthan will play against Haryana in the finals of the event on December 16, at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, in Rajkot. 

Tamil Nadu has been the most successful team in the History of Vijay Hazare Trophy

The Vijay Hazare Trophy, previously known as the Ranji One-Day Trophy, is an annual limited-overs cricket domestic competition organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The tournament comprises state and union territory teams that participate in the Ranji Trophy.

The competition was first introduced in 1993-94 and was initially played at the zonal level until it was expanded to the national level in 2002-03. In 2007, the tournament was renamed in honour of Vijay Hazare, who passed away in December 2004. Tamil Nadu has been the most successful team since the expansion, having won the trophy five times.