New Delhi [India]: In a dramatic semi-final match, Vidarbha registered a five-run victory over the eight-time champions Karnataka to reach the Ranji final for the first time.
In the final showdown, Vidarbha will face Delhi, who will play a Ranji final after ten years.
The semi-final of Thursday was medium pacer Rajneesh Gurbani’s day, as the 24-year-old single-handedly stopped Karnataka, by claiming seven wickets and bowling out the champions for 192, six short of the 198-run victory target.
The five day Ranji match finished with him taking 12 of the 20 Karnataka wickets in both the innings.
Talking to ANI, Gurbani said, “We are happy that we won the high pressure game against mighty Karnataka. However, our aim has not been fulfilled yet as we have to still play the finals. We are all geared up for the match.”
Vidarbha skipper Faiz Fazal who could not contribute much with bat in the semifinal, but has led the way for his side throughout the campaign also expressed hi excitement for the finals.
“I am not going to do anything different in the finals. I will continue to play the way I have been playing in the tournament. I will stick to the basics,” Fazal said when asked about his preparations for the final match.
“I am excited about my form and performance but now I have more responsibility in the finals,” he added.
Earlier, in the first semi-final match, Delhi beat Bengal by an innings and 26 runs to make their first Ranji Trophy final in ten years.
The last time Delhi played the final was way back in 2007-08 season when they ended as winners of that edition.
The final Ranji match which is slated to begin from December 29 will be played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium of Indore. (ANI)