Young Stars Vats and Sindhu Power Haryana to Quarterfinals

Haryana will face Gujarat in the quarterfinals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy on January 12, following a commanding 72-run victory over Bengal. The star of the match was 20-year-old leg-spin allrounder Parth Vats, who justified his selection over Yuzvendra Chahal by delivering a standout performance with both bat and ball. In just his maiden List […]

Haryana’s innings, which looked shaky at 98 for 3 in the 17th over, was rescued by Vats, who scored a gritty 62 off 77 balls. His 84-run partnership with fellow 20-year-old allrounder Nishant Sindhu, who contributed an impressive 64, stabilized the innings. Sindhu also chipped in with the ball, showcasing the depth of Haryana’s young talent. Their efforts laid a solid foundation for the lower order to capitalize on.

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Sumit Kumar and Rahul Tewatia provided the finishing touches to Haryana’s innings with valuable contributions down the order. Kumar’s unbeaten 41 off just 32 balls and Tewatia’s brisk 29 helped propel the team to a competitive total of 298 for 9. This late surge proved decisive as it set Bengal a steep target on a pitch offering assistance to the bowlers.

Mohammed Shami, looking to secure an India comeback, had a mixed outing for Bengal. He struggled in his initial spell, conceding 27 runs in just three overs without a wicket. However, Shami redeemed himself in the latter stages, finishing with figures of 3 for 61 in ten overs, including two wickets in the death overs. Despite his efforts, Bengal fell short, with Haryana’s all-round performance ensuring a convincing win.

Haryana’s Clinical Win Secures Quarterfinal Spot Against Gujarat

Abhimanyu Easwaran, a player under scrutiny for his national team prospects, had a mixed outing in Bengal’s recent chase. The opening partnership between Sudip Gharami and Abishek Porel provided a steady start, adding 70 runs in 12.5 overs. This allowed Easwaran the opportunity to anchor the innings. However, the rust from spending two months on India’s Test bench in Australia was evident as he struggled for fluency. His innings featured close escapes, including a narrow stumping appeal, and a series of reverse sweeps to counter the mounting pressure.

Easwaran’s efforts to break free proved short-lived as he fell to Haryana’s mystery spinner Amit Rana while attempting a slog sweep. His dismissal left Bengal in a tight spot, with Porel tasked to lead the recovery. Porel played a composed knock, scoring 57 off 78 balls, but his conservative approach underscored the team’s difficulty in maintaining momentum. When Porel was dismissed in the 28th over, Bengal’s fragile middle order was exposed, and the chase began to unravel.

Haryana seized the opportunity with Parth Vats delivering a match-turning spell. The young bowler dismantled Bengal’s lower order, taking the crucial wickets of Anustup Majumdar, Karan Lal, and Mohammed Shami in quick succession. Bengal’s chase of 226 ended in disappointment as they were bowled out for 153 in just 43.1 overs. Despite a promising start, Bengal’s inability to forge partnerships and counter Haryana’s disciplined bowling attack sealed their fate.

Haryana’s balanced performance highlighted their depth and resilience. Contributions with both bat and ball ensured a comprehensive victory and secured their spot in the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarterfinals. Their ability to adapt to pressure situations and exploit Bengal’s weaknesses was a testament to their all-round capability.

With this win, Haryana sets up a quarterfinal clash against Gujarat in Vadodara on January 12. Their clinical display against Bengal provides a strong platform, but the knockout stage will demand an even higher level of performance as they aim to continue their tournament journey.