Kulwant Khejroliya's double hat-trick helps Madhya Pradesh defeat Baroda

Madhya Pradesh’s Kulwant Khejroliya put forth an exceptional performance in his side’s Ranji Trophy clash against Baroda. Competing at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, in the first innings of the clash, Madhya Pradesh managed to post a mammoth total of 454 runs.

In response, Baroda only managed to amass 132. As skipper Shubham Sharma enforced the follow-on, Baroda looked to be in control as opener Jyotsnil Singh scored 83 runs in 169 deliveries, with Shashwat Rawat adding 105 runs to the board as well.

It was the exceptional bowling prowess of Kulwant Khejroliya that helped Madhya Pradesh register a dominant win. Striking twice in the first innings, Khejroliya was yet to take a wicket in the second innings. 

However, it was in the 95th over of the second innings when the pacer showcased his prowess with the ball. Taking a wicket on the second, third, fourth, and fifth balls. He dismissed the likes of Rawat, had Mahesh Pithiya caught, trapped Bhargav Bhatt leg-before, and bowled Akash Singh.

Furthermore, he dismissed Atit Sheth to finish with 5-34, which was his five-wicket haul as Madhya Pradesh won the clash by an innings and 52 runs. His four-wicket over also saw him become the fourth Indian to take four wickets with consecutive balls in first-class cricket. 

It is also worth noting that the other three players to take four wickets in four balls in first-class cricket are Sadanand Mohol, Shankar Saini, and Mohammad Mudhashir.

After the top-order was dismissed, Baroda’s remaining batters could not amount to much. Mitesh Patel was sent packing for nine runs, Shivalik Sharma added 19 runs on the board with skipper Vishnu Solanki scoring just 13 runs as well. 

Bundling out for 270 runs, Baroda lost the clash against Madhya Pradesh in sensational fashion. As for Madhya Pradesh, Kulwant Khejroliya was the highest wicket-taker with five wickets to his name. Kumar Kartikeya took three wickets with Anubhav Agarwal striking twice as well.