Vijay Hazare Trophy 2017-18, Semi-Final 2 Review: Clinical Performance from Saurashtra ensures final berth

The second semi-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018 between Saurashtra and Andhra witnessed another crackerjack of an encounter which involved too much firepower, but in the end, one will have to say, Saurashtra Team had too much firepower and managed to upstage the opposition comprehensively. Both Ravindra Jadeja and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja have been the star for Saurashtra which led the unbeaten side Andhra to see their first loss.

On a docile track, the toss fell in Saurashtra’s favor and they were expected to post a gigantic total on the board to put pressure on the inform Andhra batters who have been in rampant form right from the start of the premier 50 over a tournament. However, Saurashtra didn’t get off to a great start, losing their opener Avi Barot and number three batsman Chirag Jani early in the innings. Having lost two wickets for just 16 runs on the board in an all-important semi-final, Saurashtra Team needed some stability.

Banking on the quick-fire fifty from the comeback man Ravindra Jadeja along with a dazzling knock by middle-order batsman Aarpit Vasavada helped them to put up a challenging total of 255 runs total on the board. Andhra bowlers were absolutely phenomenal at the start but were not able to capitalize till the end which eventually led Saurashtra Team finish on high. Karthik Raman, Bandaru Ayyappa, and Duvvarapu Siva Kumar picked eight wickets between them.

In reply, Andra’s top-order found it difficult to put the right foot forward at the Feroz Shah Kotla, as the wicket eventually became a two pace track, with many deliveries keeping low. Almost every batsman got off to a decent start but wasn’t able to convert the start into a big score. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja bowled a dream spell, picking 4 wickets for just 40 runs and led his team to the all-important final. With this, the final between Karnataka and Saurashtra promises to be bigger and better than every league game in the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2018. It will be interesting to see which team is able to hold their nerves till the last ball of the final to get their hands on the coveted title.

Brief Scores

Saurashtra v Andhra

Saurashtra: 255/10 in 49.1 overs (Aarpit Vasavada 58; Karthik Raman 4/69)

Andhra: 196/10 in 45.3 overs (Dwaraka Ravi Teja 42; Dharmendrasinh Jadeja 4/40)