In a commanding display, Rajasthan concluded their Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite Group A campaign with a resounding 132-run victory over Puducherry at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Thursday. The win, powered by a magnificent century from Karan Lamba, provided a positive end to an otherwise challenging tournament for the Rajasthan side.
Lamba's Masterclass Sets Up Dominant Total
Put into bat first, Rajasthan posted a competitive total of 269 for 8 in their 50 overs. The innings was anchored by a superb knock from middle-order batter Karan Lamba, who scored 108 runs from 116 deliveries. His innings was a blend of patience and aggression, featuring eleven boundaries and one six. Lamba found a reliable partner in Ramnivas Golada, with the duo stitching together a crucial 85-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Golada contributed a brisk 64 off just 63 balls, hitting twelve fours.
Puducherry's Chase Crumbles Under Pressure
In reply, Puducherry's batting lineup never gained momentum and collapsed for a mere 137 runs in 26.5 overs. They lost wickets at regular intervals from the outset, failing to build any substantial partnerships. The only notable resistance came from Nitin Pranaav, who scored 56 runs. The Rajasthan bowling attack delivered a collective and disciplined performance. Pacer Danish Bhambhu was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 wickets for 35 runs. He received excellent support from Ashok Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, and captain Manav Suthar, who all chipped in with two wickets apiece.
Tournament Wrap-Up and Final Standings
This victory marked only the second win for Rajasthan in seven matches during the league stage. They finished the Elite Group A competition in the seventh position with 8 points in the eight-team group. Despite the overall standings, the comprehensive nature of this final performance, led by Lamba's century and a potent bowling display, will give the team confidence moving forward. For Puducherry, the heavy defeat underscored a difficult outing in the tournament.
Brief Scores:
Rajasthan: 269/8 in 50 overs (Karan Lamba 108, Ramnivas Golada 64; Sagar Udeshi 3-32) beat Puducherry: 137 all out in 26.5 overs (Nitin Pranaav 56; Danish Bhambhu 3-35, Ashok Sharma 2-27) by 132 runs.
