Vishwaraj Jadeja’s Storming Century Propels Saurashtra to Vijay Hazare Trophy Final, Thrash Punjab by 9 Wickets

Bengaluru: Saurashtra stormed into the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy with a dominant 9-wicket victory over Punjab in the semi-final at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru, on Friday. Vishwaraj Jadeja played a match-winning, unbeaten 165-run innings to power Saurashtra past a challenging 292-run target. The final, scheduled for Sunday, will see Saurashtra face Vidarbha as they aim to clinch their third Vijay Hazare Trophy title.

Jadeja’s One-Man Show
Chasing 292, Saurashtra got off to a slow start, scoring only 15 runs in the first four overs. However, Jadeja shifted gears and took the attack to the Punjab bowlers. The explosive right-hander remained unbeaten on 165, his third List-A century of the tournament. He stitched a 172-run opening partnership with captain Harvik Desai, who contributed 64 runs. Following Desai’s dismissal, Jadeja joined hands with Inspirer Mankad to forge an unbeaten 121-run stand off just 99 balls, ensuring a comprehensive victory. Jadeja particularly targeted fast bowlers Gurnoor Brar and young Krishna Bhagat, taking control of the game before dew conditions could influence the match.

Punjab’s Batting Effort Falls Short
Earlier, Punjab posted a competitive 291 runs, thanks to Anmolpreet Singh’s superb 100 and captain Prabhsimran Singh’s 87, sharing a century partnership. At one stage, Punjab seemed set for a total beyond 300, reaching 211 for 2 in 40 overs. However, Saurashtra’s disciplined bowling caused a middle-order collapse. Seamer Ankur Panwar struck twice in the 35th over, derailing Punjab’s momentum.

Saurashtra’s Bowling Stars
Chetan Sakariya returned impressively in the death overs, claiming 4 wickets for 60 runs, while experienced Jaydev Unadkat, playing his first match of the tournament, bowled 10 economical overs for just 39 runs. Fielding brilliance also stood out, with Chirag Jani executing a direct-hit run out to dismiss Harnur Singh.

Final Showdown Awaits
Buoyed by this emphatic victory, Saurashtra heads into the final brimming with confidence. Facing Vidarbha on Sunday, they will look to lift the trophy for the first time since the 2022–23 season. With Vishwaraj Jadeja in scintillating form, Saurashtra will be a formidable opponent in the title clash.