Madhya Pradesh secured a hard-fought third consecutive victory in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, defeating Kerala by 47 runs in a tense Elite Group A encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Monday. The win was built on the back of a resolute 93 from opener Himanshu Mantri, who anchored his side's innings on a challenging track.
Mantri's Gritty Knock Steadies the Ship
Choosing to bowl first after winning the toss, Kerala captain Rohan S Kunnummal saw his decision pay early dividends. The spin duo of left-arm orthodox bowler Ankit Sharma (4/38) and Aparajith (3/36) ripped through the Madhya Pradesh top order, reducing them to a precarious 78 for five. It was here that Himanshu Mantri took charge.
Displaying immense patience and skill, Mantri crafted a crucial innings of 93 runs from 105 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries. He forged vital partnerships with the lower order, most notably with Tripuresh Singh, who blasted a quickfire 37 off just 25 balls. Their efforts propelled Madhya Pradesh to a total of 214 all out in 46.1 overs.
This innings marked another agonizing near-miss for Mantri, who fell just seven runs short of a century, reminiscent of his dismissal for 90 in the previous game against Tamil Nadu.
Disciplined Bowling Seals the Deal for MP
Chasing a modest target of 215, Kerala's innings never found momentum against a disciplined Madhya Pradesh bowling attack. Openers Kunnummal (19) and Prasad (4) were dismissed early by Saransh Jain, who struck crucial blows upfront.
Only Mohammed Nazir (30) and Sharafuddin (42) offered substantial resistance as the Kerala batting lineup succumbed to rash shots on a turning wicket. The MP bowlers maintained tight lines, with Aryan Pandey, Kumar Kartikeya, and the all-rounder Tripuresh Singh sharing the remaining wickets. Kerala was bundled out for 167 in 40.1 overs, handing MP a comfortable victory in the end.
MP's Campaign Gains Momentum
This victory significantly bolsters Madhya Pradesh's campaign in the premier domestic limited-overs tournament. The team showcased resilience, first recovering from a top-order collapse to post a defendable total and then executing their bowling plans perfectly.
While Himanshu Mantri's near-century rightly earned him the player of the match accolades, it was a collective team effort that underscored MP's strength. The bowlers, led by the early breakthroughs from Saransh Jain and supported by the spinners, exploited the conditions expertly to defend their total with ease.
The win reinforces Madhya Pradesh's position as a strong contender in Group A, demonstrating their ability to win tough matches even when not posting mammoth scores.
