SMA Trophy: Karnataka edges Vidarbha with four runs, to set up the final clash against Tamil Nadu

New Delhi, Nov 20, : In a thrilling semi-final at the Arun Jaitley stadium here in New Delhi on Saturday, Karnataka beat Vidarbha by four runs.

Half-centuries by Rohan Kadam (87 runs off 56 balls), and Manish Pandey (54) lifted Karnataka up to 176/7 after 20 overs.

Vidarbha tried to chase the total, but could not get 14.The narrow victory by Karnataka means they will face Tamil Nadu on Monday, in a rematch of the 2018 editions finaleKadam and Pandey were inserted into the batting order first.They set up the stage for big runs with an opening stand of 132 runs.

Kadam was given a brief reprieve by captain Akshay Wadkar, the wicketkeeper.Abhinav continued his runmaking spree, hitting a total of 13 balls 27 until Kadam was out.Karnataka fell spectacularly, despite looking like he was on track for an over 180 total.Yash Thakur, the pacer, gave up only eight runs in 19 overs while Karun Nail was out for five.

Darshan Nalkande, an all-rounder, took four wickets in just four deliveries.He also dismissed Aniruddha Joshi and wicketkeeper Sharath Bharat.Abhinav Mangahar was out for five runs.

This left Vidarbha at the bottom of the match with figures 4/28.Nalkande was also the second wicket-taker after Ravi Bishnoi, Rajasthan leg-spinner.

He is the second Indian to score a hat trick in this tournament after Abhimanyu Mithun.Atharva Tade responded by scoring a 32-ball 16 run, while Ganesh Satish, his opener, scored a quick 31 runs from 27 balls.

The Vidarbha batsmen had all started but no one was able to turn that promising start into big runs.Karnataka was also assisted by their spinners (mainly KC Cariappa), who brought the match back to an end.Karnataka lost 42 runs in the third over.Vidyadhar Patil, who was defending 14 runs in the final over, held his nerve and gave Karnataka the right to play in the final.

Short scores Karnataka 176/7 after 20 overs; Manish Pandey 54, Rahan Kadam 87; Darshan Nalkande 4/28; Lalit Yadav 2/36).Vidarbha 172/6 after 20 overs; Atharva Thade 32, Ganesh Satish 31, KC Cariappa 2/27; Karun Nair 1/10).

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