Vidarbha Storms into Vijay Hazare Trophy Final: 5-Wicket Haul by Darshan Nalkande and Aman Mokhade’s 5th Century Crush Karnataka’s Dreams

In a high-octane first semi-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, Vidarbha showcased a masterclass in both bowling and batting to defeat the defending champions and 5-time winners, Karnataka. Playing at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on January 15, 2026, Vidarbha secured a clinical 6-wicket victory, ending Karnataka’s hope for a sixth title and avenging their loss in the previous year’s final.

Vidarbha vs Karnataka: Semi-Final Dominance in Bengaluru

The match began with Karnataka winning the toss and electing to bat first. However, Vidarbha’s disciplined bowling attack quickly put the hosts on the back foot. The Vidarbha vs Karnataka clash saw the early departures of heavyweights like Mayank Agarwal and Devdutt Padikkal within the first seven overs. While Karnataka managed to post a respectable total of 280, it proved insufficient against a Vidarbha side playing with clinical precision.

Vidarbha’s chase was a demonstration of calm authority. Despite losing an early wicket, the middle order anchored the innings perfectly, reaching the target of 281 in just 46.2 overs. This victory marks Vidarbha’s second consecutive appearance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final, signaling their arrival as a dominant force in Indian domestic white-ball cricket.

Aman Mokhade’s Historic Run: The 5th Century of the Season

The undeniable star of the chase was opener Aman Mokhade. In what is turning out to be a legendary season, Mokhade smashed a sensational 138 runs off 122 balls, laced with 12 boundaries and 2 sixes. This was his 5th century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26, a feat that matches the world record for the most centuries in a single List A tournament edition.

During his innings, Mokhade also achieved a massive personal milestone by becoming the quickest to reach 1000 List A runs, equaling the legendary Graeme Pollock’s record of 16 innings. His partnership of 147 runs for the third wicket with former Karnataka player Ravikumar Samarth (who remained unbeaten on 76*) effectively batted Karnataka out of the game. Mokhade’s incredible consistency has made him the highest run-getter of the tournament with 781 runs.

Darshan Nalkande’s Lethal Spell: 5 Wickets to Break Karnataka’s Spine

While Mokhade dominated with the bat, Darshan Nalkande was the architect of destruction with the ball. Karnataka’s innings looked promising during a 113-run stand between Karun Nair (76) and KL Shrijith (54), but Nalkande returned to dismantle the middle and lower order.

Nalkande finished with a brilliant 5/48 in his 10 overs, consistently hitting the right lengths and using the bounce to his advantage. He removed the set Karun Nair and followed it up by cleaning up the tail, ensuring Karnataka could not find the late-overs flourish they desperately needed. His performance ensured that a dangerous Karnataka lineup was restricted to a chaseable 280.

Karnataka’s Struggle: Karun Nair’s Gritty 76 Not Enough

For Karnataka, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow on home soil. Karun Nair played a veteran’s knock, scoring a composed 76, while wicketkeeper KL Shrijith added urgency with a quick-fire 54. However, the lack of support from the top order—especially the failure of the tournament’s leading scorers like Padikkal—put too much pressure on the middle order. Karnataka’s bowlers also struggled to find breakthroughs once Mokhade and Samarth settled in, ultimately leading to their exit from the tournament.

The Grand Finale: Vidarbha Awaits the Winner of Saurashtra vs Punjab

With this victory, Vidarbha has become the first team to book its spot for the grand final.

• Second Semi-Final: Saurashtra will take on Punjab on Friday, January 16, 2026.
• The Final: The title decider is scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, Bengaluru.

Vidarbha, having finished as runners-up last year, will be hungry to lift their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy. With Aman Mokhade in the form of his life and Nalkande firing on all cylinders, the final promises to be a spectacular contest.

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