Rajasthan edges past Tamil Nadu in thrilling encounter

Jan 10, 2025

Credit: IANS

Rajasthan defeated Tamil Nadu by 19 runs, led by Tomar's century and Varun's impressive five-wicket haul in the Vijay Hazare Trophy pre-quarterfinal.

Rajasthan's cricket team clinched a narrow victory against Tamil Nadu by 19 runs in a gripping pre-quarterfinal match of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Rajasthan posted a total of 267 runs, with Abhijeet Tomar leading the charge as he scored an impressive 111 runs. His performance proved pivotal in ensuring that Rajasthan emerged victorious, setting them on a path to face Vidarbha in the quarterfinals scheduled for January 12.

The match commenced with Rajasthan losing the toss and being asked to bat first. The innings began steadily, and at one point, Rajasthan seemed poised to surpass the 300-run mark, reaching a strong 182 for one in the 32nd over. However, the momentum shifted dramatically due to the exceptional bowling of Varun Chakravarthy, who made a strong case for his inclusion in the Indian ODI squad. His remarkable spell included three wickets in just three overs, which turned the tide of the game.

Varun's first breakthrough came when he dismissed Mahipal Lomror, who had contributed a valuable 60 runs. Lomror's wicket fell as Varun bowled a clever wrong’un that deceived the batsman, drifting in before bouncing to strike the off stump. This dismissal broke a significant 160-run partnership between Tomar and Lomror. Following this, Varun struck again, bowling Deepak Hooda with a well-executed carrom ball as Hooda aimed a hefty shot towards the leg side. The final nail in the coffin for Rajasthan's innings was the wicket of Tomar, who, after a commendable knock of 111 runs from 125 deliveries, fell to a catch at long-on.

Varun concluded his performance with figures of five wickets for 52 runs in nine overs, showcasing his ability to impact the game. Despite the solid start, Rajasthan faced a dramatic collapse where they lost nine wickets for a mere 83 runs, finishing their innings at 267 all out in 47.3 overs. Alongside Varun's brilliance, Tamil Nadu's left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore and seamer Sandeep Warrier made crucial contributions to the bowling attack, each picking up two wickets.

In their attempt to chase down the target, Tamil Nadu started strongly, with an aggressive opening partnership that put 60 runs on the board within just 6.5 overs. However, this promising beginning was halted when Khaleel Ahmed bowled Tushar Raheja for 11 runs after a brief but impactful innings. N Jagadeesan, soon after, blazed to a half-century, hitting six fours in a chaotic over that cost Rajasthan 29 runs, including five wides. Jagadeesan scored 65 runs from 52 balls, but his dismissal led to a sudden shift in momentum, causing visible panic within the Tamil Nadu camp.

B Indrajith and Vijay Shankar then collaborated for Tamil Nadu, keeping the chase alive as they approached the final overs. At the beginning of the 36th over, Tamil Nadu required 83 runs to win, with five wickets remaining. However, the momentum shifted again with the run-out of S Mohammed Ali, who was scoring at a brisk 34 runs. This unfortunate incident provided Rajasthan with renewed hope and momentum.

In a critical moment, fast bowler Aman Shekhawat struck by dismissing Indrajith, leaving Tamil Nadu in a precarious position. Subsequently, he bowled Vijay Shankar as well, who made a solid 49 runs, further tightening Rajasthan's grip on the match. The climax of the game featured Shekhawat also claiming the crucial wicket of Varun, who was able to score only 18 runs, ensuring that Tamil Nadu fell short at 248 all out in 47.1 overs.

Rajasthan’s victory was marked by a blend of individual brilliance and collective effort, showcasing their resilience and strategic prowess. With Tomar's formidable innings and Varun's phenomenal performance with the ball, Rajasthan progressed to the next round, leaving India’s cricketing fraternity eagerly anticipating their upcoming quarterfinal clash against Vidarbha.

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