VIDARBHA boys pulled off a splendid 16-run victory over Karnataka to book a semi-final berth in the U-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy in Indore on Friday. Vidarbha will face Punjab in the semi-final on Sunday. Chasing 261 for victory, Karnataka were 156-1 in the 30th over, but Vidarbha’s bowlers turned the match on its head by claiming the remaining nine wickets for 88 runs. Amaan Hussain dismissed four batsmen, Om Luthade scalped three, and captain Kush Sharma got two wickets to bowl out Karnataka for 244 in 48.4 overs.

 

Earlier, Vidarbha posted 260- 7 after being asked to bat first. Kush Sharma (55) and Adi Bajaj (25) gave them a roaring start, adding 100 runs in 18.2 overs. After both fell in quick succession, Arnav Lunge (45) and Saish Bhise (59) built on the strong foundation. Om Dhotre (28) and Himanshu Kawale (21) boosted the tally with a fine unfinished partnership of 48 runs for the eighth wicket. Kush was declared the player of the match. Brief scores: Vidarbha 260-7 in 50 overs (Adi Bajaj 25, Kush Sharma 55, Arnav Lunge 45, Saish Bhise 59, Om Dhotre 28 not out, Himanshu Kawale 21 not out). Karnataka 244 all out in 48.4 overs (Rohith Reddy 69, Nitish Arya 75, Dhruv Krishnan 58, Aniketh Reddy 29; Amaan Hussain 4-33, Om Luthade 3-32, Kush Sharma 2- 60). Result: Vidarbha won by 16 runs. Player of the Match: Kush Sharma.