Punjab vs Saurashtra: Saurashtra once again underlined their growing dominance in Indian domestic cricket as they stormed into the Vijay Hazare Trophy final for the fourth time, registering a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Punjab in the second semi-final. The high-scoring punjab vs saurashtra encounter was played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, where Saurashtra delivered a near-perfect all-round performance, highlighted by a magnificent unbeaten century from Vishvaraj Jadeja.
Chasing a challenging target of 292 runs, Saurashtra showed remarkable composure and intent, reaching the target in just 39.3 overs while losing only one wicket. The run chase was anchored by a record-setting partnership at the top and a match-winning knock that will be remembered as one of the finest innings of the tournament.
Match Summary: Punjab vs Saurashtra Semi-Final
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Punjab vs Saurashtra, Semi-Final | Saurashtra won by 9 wickets |
| Venue | BCCI Centre of Excellence |
| Punjab Score | 291 all out (50 overs) |
| Saurashtra Score | 292/1 (39.3 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Vishvaraj Jadeja |
Punjab Post Competitive Total After Batting First
After losing the toss, Punjab were asked to bat first on a good surface that offered value for strokes. Despite a shaky start, the team managed to post a competitive total of 291 runs before being bowled out in the final over.
Punjab lost their first wicket at a relatively modest score of 60 when Harnur Singh was run out for 33. However, skipper Prabhsimran Singh steadied the innings with a fluent knock of 87 runs, showing leadership from the front. He found solid support in Anmolpreet Singh, who played a composed and determined innings to bring up a well-earned century.
Anmolpreet’s 100-run knock was the backbone of Punjab’s innings, while Ramandeep Singh added useful momentum with a brisk 42. Despite these efforts, Punjab struggled to accelerate consistently in the final overs due to disciplined bowling from the Saurashtra attack.
Punjab Batting Scorecard (Top Performers)
| Batter | Runs |
| Anmolpreet Singh | 100 |
| Prabhsimran Singh (C) | 87 |
| Ramandeep Singh | 42 |
| Harnur Singh | 33 |
Saurashtra Bowlers Keep Punjab in Check
Saurashtra’s bowling unit executed its plans with precision. Left-arm pacer Chetan Sakariya was the standout performer, exploiting movement and variations to pick up four crucial wickets. His spell prevented Punjab from crossing the 300-run mark, which later proved decisive.
Support came from Ankur and Chirag, who chipped in with two wickets each, ensuring regular breakthroughs and keeping pressure on the Punjab batters throughout the innings.
Saurashtra Bowling Figures (Key Bowlers)
| Bowler | Wickets |
| Chetan Sakariya | 4 |
| Ankur | 2 |
| Chirag | 2 |
Dominant Run Chase Led by Jadeja and Desai
In reply, Saurashtra made their intentions clear from the very beginning. Openers Harvik Desai and Vishvaraj Jadeja took control of the chase, combining caution with aggressive stroke play. The duo stitched together a commanding 172-run opening partnership, laying the foundation for a comfortable victory.
Harvik Desai played a captain’s knock, scoring 64 runs and rotating the strike efficiently. His dismissal, caught by Naman Dhir off Gurnoor Brar, was the only moment of relief for Punjab during the chase.
However, by then, the damage had already been done.
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Vishvaraj Jadeja’s Match-Winning Century
The star of the punjab vs saurashtra semi-final was undoubtedly Vishvaraj Jadeja. The left-handed opener produced a breathtaking unbeaten innings of 165 runs off 127 balls. His knock was a perfect blend of patience and aggression, featuring 18 boundaries and three towering sixes.
Jadeja paced his innings expertly, ensuring that the required run rate never became a concern. His century sealed Saurashtra’s place in the final in emphatic fashion and earned widespread praise from cricket experts and fans alike.
This was Jadeja’s third century of the season, following earlier hundreds against Gujarat (112) and Delhi (115). With this innings, he climbed to sixth position on the tournament’s top-scorers list.
Vishvaraj Jadeja – Tournament Performance
| Matches | Runs | Centuries |
| 9 | 532 | 3 |
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Saurashtra Set for Final Clash Against Vidarbha
With this dominant win, Saurashtra advanced to their fourth Vijay Hazare Trophy final. They will face Vidarbha, last year’s runners-up, in the title clash scheduled for January 18. The final will once again be held at the BCCI Centre of Excellence, with the match set to begin at 1:30 PM IST.
Saurashtra will enter the final brimming with confidence, backed by strong form in both batting and bowling departments. Punjab, on the other hand, will reflect on missed opportunities despite strong individual performances.
As anticipation builds for the final, the punjab vs saurashtra semi-final will be remembered as a showcase of Saurashtra’s maturity, depth, and match-winning ability on the big stage.
