Two batting powerhouses, led by two prolific captains, will face off for the highest honour in 50-over domestic cricket as Karnataka and Vidarbha go head-to-head in the Vijay Hazare Trophy final at the Kotambi Stadium here on Saturday.
While Karnataka will be eyeing a record-equalling fifth title, and first since the 2019-20 season, Vidarbha will have a taste of the final for the first time against a side that is yet to be beaten in the summit clash of the competition.
But, taking a cue from skipper Karun Nair, Vidarbha will not delve too much into the past. Karun has had a scarcely believable tournament, averaging 752 with the bat while slamming five hundreds in the last seven innings. He has married this consistency with a newfound power-hitting ability, which was on full show during his 44-ball 88 blitz against Maharashtra in the semifinal.
On the other hand, Karnataka skipper Mayank Agarwal is only second to Karun in the top run scorers’ list this season but has fallen to single-digit scores in the last two games. That the two former teammates will go up against each other will only add more context to this tantalising contest.
ALSO READ | Despite India snub, Jitesh Sharma steadfast in pursuing high-risk, high-reward approach
But, an overreliance on the top order is something both sides will be wary of, particularly Vidarbha. Dhruv Shorey, Yash Rathod and Karun have faced almost 80 per cent of the total balls bowled to Vidarbha’s batters in the tournament, allowing little game time to the middle and lower order.
Meanwhile, after Mayank’s early departure, Karnataka’s campaign could have met a watery grave in the semifinal if not for Devdutt Padikkal and R. Smaran’s match-winning alliance in a middling 238-run chase against Haryana.
On current form, Vidarbha’s batting may hold the edge, but Karnataka’s well-rounded attack, led by V. Koushik and Shreyas Gopal, could have its measure.