In a major upset in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Puducherry secured a convincing 4-wicket victory over a strong Madhya Pradesh side at the Gujarat College ground in Ahmedabad on Saturday. This defeat marked Madhya Pradesh's first loss in the tournament after five consecutive matches.
Madhya Pradesh's Batting Collapse Proves Costly
After winning the toss, Puducherry opted to field first and their decision paid immediate dividends. They put the Madhya Pradesh batters under relentless pressure from the start. The MP innings never gained momentum, stumbling to 61 for 3 before a dramatic collapse saw them reeling at 115 for 8.
Despite a late partnership that helped them reach a total of 228 all out in 49.5 overs, the score was considered below par on a batting-friendly surface. The run rate of 4.57 per over reflected their struggles against a disciplined Puducherry bowling attack.
Puducherry Bowlers Shine with Collective Effort
The credit for restricting Madhya Pradesh goes to Puducherry's cohesive bowling unit. Aman Hakim Khan was the standout performer, claiming three crucial wickets to dismantle the top order. He received excellent support from SP Udeshi and P Vaghani, who took two wickets each.
Their combined effort of maintaining tight lines and lengths forced the Madhya Pradesh batters into taking risky shots, leading to the middle-order collapse. The bowling was both economical and penetrative, a key factor in the match's outcome.
Puducherry's Controlled Chase Seals the Win
In response, Puducherry approached the chase of 229 with clear intent and efficiency. They lost an early wicket at 15, but rebuilt the innings through solid partnerships. The chase was anchored by two key knocks: a brisk 65 off 60 balls and a supporting 59 off 55 balls.
These innings allowed Puducherry to maintain a healthy run rate of 5.32 runs per over, keeping the required rate always under control. Although they lost a few quick wickets towards the end, sliding from 191/3 to 207/6, the foundation was strong enough. They eventually reached the target, finishing at 229 for 6 with a substantial 7 overs to spare.
Analysis: Where the Match Was Won and Lost
The result handed Puducherry four vital points, while Madhya Pradesh ended the game empty-handed. For MP, their bowlers found limited success. Kumar Kartikeya returned figures of 1 for 50, and Shubham Sharma took two wickets, but the attack struggled to contain runs during the powerplay and the death overs.
The match highlighted a clear contrast: Puducherry's bowling was clinical and created pressure, while Madhya Pradesh's fielding lapses and inability to build sustained pressure with the ball were major factors in their defeat. This upset serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of domestic cricket's premier 50-over tournament.
