The race for the quarter-finals in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024 reached a thrilling climax as several teams battled it out for a coveted spot in the knockout stage. While Rajasthan and Haryana had already stamped their quarter-final tickets, the last day of the league stage witnessed Mumbai, Vidarbha, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka securing direct entry into the quarters.
Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024 : Mumbai’s Upset, Kerala’s Heartbreak
In a surprising turn of events, both Mumbai and Kerala, tied at 20 points each, stumbled in their final league matches. Mumbai faced an 86-run defeat against Odisha, while Kerala fell short by 18 runs against Railways. Despite the setbacks, Mumbai edged past Kerala in the rankings due to their head-to-head record in the league stage, securing a quarter-final berth.
Gujarat’s Last-Minute Heroics
In a nail-biting encounter, Gujarat clinched a crucial victory against Himachal Pradesh, dashing Uttar Pradesh’s hopes of advancing to the knockout stage. A stellar performance by Urvil Patel and Priyank Panchal propelled Gujarat to a formidable total of 327 runs. Despite a valiant effort from Himachal’s Sumeet Verma, Gujarat held their nerve to seal a thrilling eight-run win and secure the second spot in the group.
Ankit Bawne’s Heroics Propel Maharashtra
Ankit Bawne’s spectacular century powered Maharashtra to a commanding 167-run victory over Manipur, securing their spot in the pre-quarter-finals. Maharashtra’s dominant performance, coupled with Vidarbha’s narrow loss to Services, propelled them into the next stage of the tournament.
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Cruise to Victory
In Group C, Karnataka cruised to a comfortable six-wicket win over Mizoram, thanks to brilliant bowling performances by Vasuki Koushik and K Gowtham. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu showcased their dominance with a commanding 10-wicket victory over Nagaland, courtesy of stellar bowling displays by Varun Chakravarthy and R Sai Kishore.
Bengal’s Triumph, Punjab’s Disappointment
Bengal emerged victorious against Punjab, securing their place in the pre-quarter-finals with a convincing 52-run win. Anustup Majumdar’s unbeaten century and a disciplined bowling effort propelled Bengal to a well-deserved victory, ending Punjab’s hopes of progressing further in the tournament.
Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024 :The Road Ahead
With the league stage coming to an exhilarating conclusion, the stage is set for the knockout rounds of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024. As Mumbai, Vidarbha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and other top teams gear up for the quarter-finals, cricket fans can expect more thrilling encounters and memorable performances in the quest for the prestigious trophy.