The third round of the prestigious Vijay Hazare Trophy kicked off on Monday with significant news as star batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were notable absentees from their respective sides. Both Delhi and Mumbai won the toss and opted to field first against Saurashtra and Chhattisgarh, setting the stage for a day where team depth would be tested.
Friday's Blockbuster Recap: Centuries and Thrillers
The previous Friday served as a spectacular advertisement for India's premier domestic one-day tournament, packed with centuries, match-winning spells, and nail-biting finishes across the country.
Delhi, led by half-centuries from Virat Kohli (77) and captain Rishabh Pant (70), clinched a thrilling seven-run win over Gujarat in Bengaluru. Gujarat seemed in control at 121 for 1 during their chase of 255 before a dramatic collapse, orchestrated by Prince Yadav's three-wicket haul, handed Delhi the victory. Kohli was named Player of the Match in what is believed to be his final domestic appearance of the season.
Mumbai showcased their renowned resilience, recovering from the shock of Rohit Sharma's golden duck to defeat Uttarakhand by 51 runs. Solid fifties from young talents Musheer Khan and Sarfaraz Khan, followed by a blistering unbeaten 93 from Hardik Tamore, powered Mumbai to 331. Uttarakhand's chase, led by Yuvraj Chaudhary's 96, fell short thanks to a disciplined bowling effort.
Record-Equalling Feats and Dominant Displays
The day was also marked by extraordinary individual performances. Vidarbha's Dhruv Shorey entered the record books by slamming his fifth consecutive List A century, equalling the feat set by Tamil Nadu's N Jagadeesan. His unbeaten 109 guided Vidarbha to a commanding 89-run win over Hyderabad.
In Rajkot, Uttar Pradesh captain Rinku Singh unleashed a breathtaking assault, smashing an unbeaten 106 from just 60 balls. His blitz, combined with Aryan Juyal's elegant 134, propelled UP to a massive 367, leading to a crushing 227-run victory over Chandigarh.
Karnataka's chase against Kerala was a masterclass in composure. After Kerala posted 284, openers Devdutt Padikkal and Karun Nair struck sublime centuries in a 223-run partnership, guiding their team to an emphatic eight-wicket win with ease.
Other Notable Highlights from Round 2
The depth of talent in the tournament was further underlined by several other standout displays:
- Jharkhand's Shubham Kumar Singh registered a career-best bowling spell of 6 for 50 to dismantle Rajasthan.
- Punjab's openers Harnoor Singh and Anmolpreet Singh both remained unbeaten with centuries in a dominant nine-wicket chase against Chhattisgarh.
- Convincing wins were also registered by Madhya Pradesh, Andhra, Maharashtra, and Baroda, highlighting the intense competition.
As the action continues on Monday, the focus shifts to how teams like Delhi and Mumbai will fare without their marquee players, providing opportunities for other squad members to step up on the big stage.
