Vijay Hazare Trophy 2017-18, Final - Preview: Karnataka favorites to lift the trophy

The sixteenth edition of the premier 50 over tournament Vijay Hazare Trophy has been able to keep the fans on their feet. The league matches followed by the knockouts helped populous to witness sheer class and dominance shown by some of the superlative domestic cricketers. With this, there is a sense of competitiveness heading into the Final which is scheduled to take place at Feroz Shah Kotla on Tuesday (27 January).

The two formidable sides Karnataka and Saurashtra have been able to keep the opposition quiet which eventually helped them to get a step closer to the coveted title. Both the teams will be hoping that their inform players continue their scintillating touch and produce a firepower performance. Karnataka would be bidding to add a third Vijay Hazare crown to their cabinet in the last five years while Saurashtra will be keen to end their decade-long barren run in the premier one-day competition.

For Saurashtra, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja has been able to put the cat among the pigeons, whereas the comeback man Ravindra Jadeja has incandescent hope to Saurashtra’s batting order. On the other hand, Karnataka Team has well relied on their top-order. The middle-order will have a task on their shoulder if the top-order fails.

Focus will be on

Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (Saurashtra)

Jadeja’s old-ball burst has pegged back the opposition on a number of occasions. The left-arm bowler uses his tall frame to good effect extracting bounce as well as turn even on docile tracks. Line and Length being his forte, Jadeja will be looking to lead the bowling attack from the front and utilize all his experience to bother Karnataka’s batting order.

Mayank Agarwal (Karnataka)

The right-handed batsman has not only been able to ignite hope Karnataka’s camp but has also been the pillar of Karnataka’s batting order. He announced himself after having mammoth runs to his side against a lethal bowling attack. Getting out on 81 in the last game, would definitely be on his mind and look to convert the same into a big hundred in the final.

Playing Combination

Karnataka

Karun Nair will open the batting alongside the regular opening partner Mayank Agarwal. The stabilizer, Samarth R who has his own repertoire, is expected to deliver for his team again will take all important number 3 spot, followed by inform Pavan Deshpande at number 4 spot. Stuart Binny, Krishnappa Gowtham, and wicket-keeper batsman CM Gautam need to make the build foundation into a mammoth score.

Karnataka’s bowling unit seemed capable of dislodging the oppositions’ batting order with K Gowtham coming with yet another breathtaking spell and triggered a mighty collapse for the Maharashtra Team in the semi-final. Gowtham, along with Prasidh proved to be best among many by being handy resources. The experience of Stuart Binny will be crucial for Karnataka to do wonders.

Probable XI: Mayank Agarwal, R Samarth, Karun Nair (c), CM Gautham (wk), Pavan Deshpande, Aniruddha Joshi, Shreyas Gopal, Krishnappa Gowtham, Sreenath Aravind, Prasidh Krishna, T Pradeep

Saurashtra

It is unlikely that Saurashtra will tinker with their opening combination as Samarth Vyas will be accompanied by man-in-form A Barot. Chirag Jani will certainly bat at number 3, followed by the skipper Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja.

Saurashtra’s bowling unit has been on song thus far in this tournament. Having said that, K Makvana whose batting skills came as a boon for Saurashtra needs to move with the ball. While Sanandia, Rathod have done a good job for their side by providing wickets at the right time.

Probable XI: Samarth Vyas, Avi Barot (wk), Cheteshwar Pujara (c), Chirag Jani, Ravindra Jadeja, Arpit Vasavada, Prerak Mankad, Kamlesh Makvana, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Shaurya Sanandia, Hardik Rathod