Ranji Trophy 2024: Vidarbha storm into the semi-finals, beat Karnataka in Nagpur

Vidarbha advanced to the semi-finals of the 2024 Ranji Trophy after outplaying Karnataka by 127 runs on Day 5 at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground in Nagpur on February 27, Tuesday. Chasing a 371-run target, Karnataka finished Day 4 on 103 for 1, thanks to a 101-run opening stand between Mayank Agarwal and Ravikumar Samarth (40), with the latter falling to Aditya Sarvate. With Karnataka needing 268 more to win on Day 5, Aneesh (1*) and Mayank (61*) were at the crease for Karnataka, and Yash Thakur opened the bowling.

Mayank failed in an attempt to go big, as he came down the track in an attempt to clear the inner circle but got caught at mid-on by Harsh Dubey off Sarvate's delivery, and Karnataka's skipper departed after a well-made 70. Sarvate picked up one more in the same over, dismissing Nikin Jose for a silver duck. He ripped through the Karnataka top order, sending back Manish Pandey, who succumbed after being trapped leg-before, while trying to defend a full ball on the front foot.

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Following this, Karnataka saw an unreal collapse as they were reduced to 222/8 before lunch, with Vidarbha needing only two wickets to secure the semi-final spot. Harsh Dubey provided a breakthrough for Vidarbha post lunch by cleaning up Vijaykumar Vyshak, who attempted to go big on the on-side. Notably, he had previously dismissed Hardik Raj and Srinivas Sharath in the same innings. Dubey then removed Vidwath Kaverappa, who was caught at short mid-wicket by Sarvate, as Vidarbha bowled Karnataka out for 243 and advanced to the semi-finals. The Akshay Wadkar-led side will now face Madhya Pradesh in the semi-finals of India's premier competition. 

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Speaking of the game before what ensued in the fourth innings, Karnataka won the toss and opted to field first. Atharva Taide struck an impressive 109 as Vidarbha reached 460 runs, with Kaverappa taking four wickets for the visitors. Sarvate and Yash Thakur then offered a sturdy challenge to Karnataka, dismissing them for just 286 runs. Kaverappa once again shone with the ball, taking six wickets to restrict Vidarbha to 196 runs in the third innings.