Vidarbha delivered a composed and confident performance to defeat defending champions Karnataka by six wickets in the semifinal of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, securing a well-deserved place in the tournament final. The emphatic victory underlined Vidarbha’s consistency and tactical discipline throughout the competition, as they outplayed a strong Karnataka side in a high-pressure knockout encounter.

Batting first, Karnataka struggled to build momentum against Vidarbha’s disciplined bowling attack. Despite having experienced campaigners in their lineup, the holders failed to post a commanding total, losing wickets at regular intervals. Vidarbha’s bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths, preventing Karnataka from accelerating during the middle overs and restricting them to a manageable score.

In response, Vidarbha’s chase was marked by patience and control rather than aggression. The top order laid a solid foundation, ensuring there was no early collapse against Karnataka’s experienced bowling unit. Even after losing a couple of wickets, Vidarbha never appeared under pressure, rotating the strike effectively and punishing loose deliveries to keep the required run rate firmly in check.

The middle order played a crucial role in steering the team home, showing maturity and composure in a knockout match. With wickets in hand and a clear strategy, Vidarbha completed the chase comfortably, sealing the match with six wickets remaining. The calm approach highlighted the team’s growing confidence and belief in their depth across departments.

For Karnataka, the loss marked a disappointing end to their title defence. Despite flashes of individual brilliance during the tournament, they were unable to replicate the consistency that had helped them lift the trophy last season. The semifinal defeat exposed gaps in both batting execution and bowling penetration at a critical stage of the competition.

Vidarbha will now head into Sunday’s final with momentum on their side. They will face the winner of the second semifinal between Punjab and Saurashtra, two teams known for their competitive domestic records and match-winning players. Regardless of the opponent, Vidarbha will take confidence from their all-round display against the defending champions.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy has once again showcased the depth and quality of Indian domestic cricket, with closely fought matches and emerging talents making their mark. Vidarbha’s journey to the final reflects disciplined team performances rather than reliance on individual stars, a factor that could prove decisive in the title clash.

As anticipation builds for the summit showdown, all eyes will be on whether Vidarbha can convert their strong semifinal performance into championship success and add another prestigious domestic trophy to their cabinet.