Vidarbha vs Madhya Pradesh Day 5 (VID vs MP): Vidarbha secured a thrilling victory over Madhya Pradesh by 62 runs in the thrilling semi-final encounter of the 2024 Ranji Trophy, which concluded at the Nagpur Cricket Academy Ground today. This win sets up a mouthwatering final clash against Mumbai, keeping their dream of a record-equalling sixth title alive.
Vidarbha vs Madhya Pradesh: Work remains
The hosts, Vidarbha, hold the upper hand heading into the final day. They require just four wickets to secure victory and book their place in the final against Mumbai. Their bowling attack, led by Aditya Sarwate and Akshay Wakhare, has been disciplined, consistently taking wickets throughout the Madhya Pradesh innings.
However, Madhya Pradesh hasn’t thrown in the towel yet. They still need 93 runs for an improbable win, with their hopes resting heavily on the shoulders of their tailenders. Wicket-keeper batter Saransh Jain (16 not out) and bowler Kumar Kartikeya will need to produce a fighting knock to keep their team’s dream alive.
Missed opportunities for MP
Madhya Pradesh’s batting woes have been a key factor in their predicament. While opener Yash Dubey played a valiant knock of 94 runs, his dismissal in the penultimate over of day four dealt a major blow to their chase. Their middle-order batsmen, including Sagar Solanki, Shubham Sharma, and Venkatesh Iyer, failed to capitalize on crucial opportunities, leaving the team with a mountain to climb.
Rathod’s Century in VID vs MP
Earlier, Vidarbha had set a challenging target of 321 runs for Madhya Pradesh. Opener Yash Rathod’s superb century (141 runs) was instrumental in their second innings total.
His knock, along with valuable contributions from Aman Mokhade (59 runs) and Akshay Wadkar (77 runs), provided the much-needed impetus for the hosts.
Pitch conditions: Ranji Trophy semifinal
The pitch at the VCA Ground in Nagpur has offered assistance to both spinners and pacers throughout the match. The key for Vidarbha will be to take early wickets and prevent Madhya Pradesh from forming any dangerous partnerships.
For the visitors, the focus will be on playing cautiously and building partnerships to chase down the target successfully.
Uncertain outcome adds to excitement
With the match hanging in the balance, day five promises to be a thrilling spectacle for cricket fans. The pressure will be immense on both teams, and every delivery will be crucial in determining the ultimate outcome of this captivating encounter.
Editors pick
