Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25: Devdutt Padikkal hammers sensational ton in quarter-final

In the ongoing quarterfinal clash of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, Karnataka's Devdutt Padikkal smashed a stunning century against Baroda in Moti Bagh Stadium in Vadodara. The game began with Baroda’s captain Krunal Pandya winning the toss and electing to field. Opening for Karnataka alongside skipper Mayank Agarwal, Padikkal faced early pressure as Agarwal fell cheaply for just six runs.

Partnering with Aneesh KV, Padikkal steadied the innings and put in an important 133-run stand for the second wicket. Anis contributed a valuable 52 runs before being dismissed, but it was Padikkal who stole the show. The southpaw reached his century off just 96 balls and was eventually dismissed for a magnificent 102 off 99 balls. His innings included 15 fours and 2 sixes.

This was Padikkal’s ninth List A century, taking his career tally to 1,977 runs at an average exceeding 81. Despite playing only 31 innings in List A cricket, he has crossed the 50-run mark 20 times. The youngster was recently included in India’s squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, where he scored only 25 runs across two innings.

However, this century is a confidence booster for Padikkal, and will look to continue it even in the IPL 2025 season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who acquired his services for INR 2 crore.

Arshdeep 3-fer, Kulkarni ton lights up Maharashtra-Punjab quarter-final

In another game, Punjab's Arshdeep Singh wreaked havoc with the ball in hand in the preliminary quarter-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Maharashtra at the Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. In the very first over, he produced a peach of a delivery to dismiss Maharashtra skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. The ball swung late to Castle Gaikwad for just five runs.

Arshdeep continued his brilliance in his next over, removing Siddhesh Veer for a duck with another unplayable delivery that was edged to the wicketkeeper However, the momentum shifted towards Maharashtra as Arshin Kulkarni and Ankit Bawane steadied the innings with a 145-run partnership. The Guna-born finished his spell by dismissing the centurion, Kulkarni (107), and ended with figures of 3 for 56.