Abhijeet Tomar’s pacey centuries (111, 125b, 12×4, 4×6) and disciplined all-round bowling effort lift Rajasthan to victory in Vijay Hazare Trophy at Kotabhi Stadium Beat Tamil Nadu by 19 runs in the quarter-finals. Thursday.
Despite Tomar’s stellar performance and skipper Mahipal Lomoror hitting an easy half-century (60, 49b, 3×4, 4×6), Rajasthan were asked to bat first but still ended up at 267 Separate out. The duo put up a 160-run alliance for the second wicket in just 132 balls and set the stage for the total.
However, Varun Chakaravarthy (5 for 52) brought TN back into the match, running through the Rajasthan batting line-up to take the fifth wicket from Group A for the fourth time.
In reply, TN got off when N. Jagadeesan (65) bowled pacer Aman Singh Shekawat for six in the second over of the chase. The five-time champion took complete control of the match, shooting a 70 in two shots in the first PowerPlay.
Also Read | Vijay Hazare Trophy Knockout Preview: Internationals return to inject life into domestic one-day tournament
Although Rajasthan pulled things back through spinners after the field widened, Jagadeesan and B. Indrajith still controlled the asking price. But a string of tame sacks allowed Souths to squander their advantage. Jagadeesan first bowled left-arm spinner Ajay Kookna straight to long off and then Indrajith half-heartedly off Shekhawat The slash flies straight to the third fielder.
Vijay Shankar (49) and S. Mohamed Ali (34) calmed the nerves for a moment and weaved a 51-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Young Muhammad Ali looked calm, cutting and pulling pacers with energy. But at the crucial moment, Muhammad Ali played a non-existent single from the non-striker’s end and got himself run out. It was the start that Rajasthan needed to close out the tournament and set up a quarter-final clash with Vidarbha on Sunday.
Earlier, Tomar, who lost by zero points, stayed alert for the first ten overs before unleashing his all-round stroke play. The 29-year-old sent out Vijay Shankar to hit a high ball before pulling him through mid-wicket for a boundary.
He then smashed a mysterious spinner over Midwick, welcoming Varun into the attack before hoisting him high for his half-century in style.
The Rajasthan opener used his touch to hit the line and punish any short balls by chipping them to good effect.
Tomar then hit his fourth century through a series of boundaries, including a straight drive off pacer Trilok Nag. But just when Rajasthan looked poised for a big score, Varun struck three times in three overs to bring his team back into the game. Lomror’s side fell from 209 points from three games to 267 in the 48th game, but that ultimately proved to be enough.
