The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 has reached its business end, with four teams set to battle for a place in the final. The first semi-final will see Haryana take on Karnataka, followed by Vidarbha square off against Maharashtra in the second. Here, we spotlight three players whose impact would be crucial in the semis: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Karun Nair, and Mayank Agarwal. All three will be under scanner immensely.
Ruturaj Gaikwad under huge pressure to perform
Ruturaj Gaikwad has been the backbone of Maharashtra’s batting line-up, batting with trademark consistency in domestic cricket, despite him not having a great VHT. The Maharashtra skipper, known for his elegant stroke play, has been pivotal in anchoring the innings and setting up big totals. The leadership has been on point nonethelss.
Unfortunately for him, things are not as rosy for Gaikwad. Unlike Karun Nair or Mayank Agarwal, he isn’t a strong VHT. But you never know if BCCI does try to give him another chance in any of the white-ball series against England. The ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy hasn’t been as exciting for Gaikwad, who has made 187 in 6 games. Mind you, 148 of these runs came in a single match only.
Karun Nair: Vidarbha’s run-machine
Karun Nair has been in sensational form for Vidarbha this season. With five centuries in six innings, he is the tournament’s leading run-scorer, having amassed 664 runs at an astonishing average of 664. His strike rate of over 120 shows he has been untouchable so far.
Nair’s consistency and hunger for big scores have been the highlights of Vidarbha’s campaign. His ability to bat long and convert starts into match-winning knocks will be crucial against Maharashtra’s bowling unit. If Nair continues his purple patch, Vidarbha will have a strong chance of making it to the final. The call for his inclusion in the Indian team has been fired up as well after his stupendous season. A performance in the semis might just force more eyeballs on him too.
Mayank Agarwal: Karnataka’s leading force
Karnataka’s skipper Mayank Agarwal has led from the front, scoring 619 runs at an average of 123.80, including four centuries. Agarwal’s aggressive intent is evident from his strike rate of 109.75, making him a key figure in Karnataka’s batting line-up.
After going unsold in the IPL auction, Agarwal has made a statement with his stellar performances in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. His ability to dominate bowlers in the powerplay and anchor the innings makes him a formidable opponent for Haryana. With experienced campaigners like Shreyas Gopal and Vasuki Koushik supporting him, Agarwal will be determined to take Karnataka to their fifth title.
Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) Fixtures
Date | Match | Venue | Time (Local) |
Jan 15, 2025 | Haryana vs Karnataka | Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara | 1:30 PM |
Jan 16, 2025 | Vidarbha vs Maharashtra | Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara | 1:30 PM |
Jan 18, 2025 | Final (TBC vs TBC) | Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara | 1:30 PM |