Smaran’s heroic ton propels K’taka to Vijay Hazare trophy

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: For the fifth time in its history, Karnataka has clinched the Vijay Hazare Trophy, after its 36 run victory over Karun Nair led Vidarbha at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on Saturday. It was Youngster Smaran Ravichandran and KL Shrijith’s 140 run alliance, added with Abhinav Manohar’s explosive cameo that propelled Karnataka to a robust 348 run total. Vidarbha were huge favourites coming into the final, as Karun Nair was in the form of his life, with his 752 average in the tournament attracting plaudits from the Little Master Sachin Tendulkar.

However, Nair chose to bowl first, considering the change in pitch for the final. Karnataka openers Mayank Agarwal and Devdutt Padikkal, were expected to get things going, but collapsed prematurely leaving the team at 64-2. KV Aneesh also failed to get on, seemingly because of his openers not getting on. It was 21 year old Smaran, fresh off a 70 odd run knock and wicketkeeper KL Shrijith who got on with their willows. Smaran’s century, coming in 92 balls with a strike rate of 109.78 was commendable, considering the situation he was left with, and the bowlers he had to face. It was a much needed knock for Shrijith, too.

The opening pair of Dhruv Shorey(110) and Yash Rathod, were fresh off tons. However, it was Shorey who continued his form, making it his third consecutive hundred in the series. It was a night to forget for Nair, who finally got castled from a good delivery off Prasidh Krishna. The ball beat his defence, going between bat and pad to knock his off-stump. It was Vasuki Koushik who would go home with a spell for the ages. Maintaining the line and length, just off-stump and on the slot, he gave nothing away and got important scalps in Vidarbha’s chase.