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So that will be it for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2022! We could not have asked for a more interesting final match, when the game was almost done and dusted at the halfway stage of the second innings, but still had a comeback in store with the fielding team making a match of things and bringing themselves right back in the contest! Well played Maharashtra, they deserved to be in the final and their captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has been in red-hot form, needs a special mention for what he is doing with the bat these days! But in the end, for all the hard work put in and all the effort made to get the team to this stage, this day belongs to Saurashtra and Saurashtra alone! Congratulations to Jaydev Unadkat and his side to clinch yet another major domestic trophy in the recent years! Domestic cricket in India continues with the Ranji Trophy, set to begin in a few days from now. But for now, this is the pair of Srivathsa and Bidipto, saying good bye. For more cricket from around the world, keep following Sportskeeda!
Jaydev Unadkat, captain, Saurashtra: We have proved that we are a force to reckon with. To win one big tournament is one thing, to win more than one is a thing to suggest that we are a team which has performed really well. I have to say that Sheldon and Chirag have been tremendous for us, and they deserve more and better opportunities, at the higher level even. This is a tough tournament, lots of good teams in it, lots of good players too, but to beat them all and lift the trophy is a fantastic achievement. Our support staff and all the players have worked hard to get to this stage. We will head into the Ranji Trophy season now with a lot of confidence. Well done to Maharashtra too for coming this far, we play a lot against each other, another West Zone team like us, so we feel happy for them.
Player of the Match, Sheldon Jackson: I am really thankful to my team for consistently backing me, I did not do anything to be honest to get this opportunity to play today, but am really pleased to have batted like this! Experience does matter, but form is more important I feel. Idea was to play out the new ball and hang in there, reading the situation of the game. Thankfully, it came off really nicely for me and my team!
Ruturaj Gaikwad, captain, Maharashtra and the Player of the Tournament: (On today's game)I think the toss did play a crucial role, but congratulations to the Saurashtra team, they executed their plans really well. I don't think losing wickets up front was a problem, because we did come back really well with the bat after that. There are lots of positives to take away from this competition, 8 straight wins and that too with young and inexperienced players who have played in this tournament for the first time. (On his Player of the Tournament performance) This tournament has been a special one for me with the bat. I have timed the ball really well, and across venues, but this performance in the final is most pleasing. If the pitch were better earlier on, we could have posted 300 even.
It is time now for the post-match presentation!
Saurashtra - 249/5, beat Maharashtra - 248/9, by 5 wickets with 3 overs and 3 balls to spare, and win the Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2022.
Sheldon Jackson 133* (136) | Chirag Jani - 3/43 Ruturaj Gaikwad - 108 (131) | Vicky Ostwal - 2/20
Sheldon Jackson did not get off the mark in the semi-final and there were questions asked of his form leading into this game. The target set was not daunting, but good enough to keep Maharashtra in the contest right till the end, but in the end, it was Sheldon Jackson's unbeaten hundred that proved to be the difference!
Saurashtra started off brilliantly, with an opening stand of 125 runs between Harvik Desai and Jackson. At that stage, it seemed as though they would cruise to victory. But Mukesh Choudhary's double strike in one over, changed the complexion of the game somewhat.
Samarth Vyas and Arpit Vasavada got out at just the wrong time for their team and that pressure told on Prerak Mankad, who went cheaply, to open the door further for Maharashtra.
But as they say, there is no substitute for experience! While Sheldon Jackson continued in his merry way, Chirag Jani joined him and supported his senior partner in this innings perfectly. His unbeaten knock of 30 runs from only 25 balls dented the hopes of a Maharashtra resurgence.
Maharashtra did not have the services of their captain Ruturaj Gaikwad at their disposal in the field, owing to a groin injury that he sustained. And then, their bowling performance, barring Vicky Ostwal's was pretty inconsistent, though they came back well enough towards the middle to try and upset the apple cart.
But again, Sheldon Jackson and his 133 not out off 136 balls was the biggest reason why Saurashtra can celebrate today and reap rewards for a spectacular tournament. This innings was responsible, dazzling, calculated and apt for a final!
Jaydev Unadkat, Arpit Vasavada, Chirag Jani - all these players, who have worked extremely hard to take Saurashtra cricket to this level, will be extremely pleased with this massive win!
Sheldon Jackson, take a bow! A performance of the highest quality from this experienced batter, who was not in form by the way, heading into this final! But as they say, big players turn up on big days to make their impressions!
What scenes! What scenes we have out there at the Narendra Modi Stadium! Saurashtra have made their presence felt once again in our domestic cricket! The are a fine red-ball side of course, and this time, they have done themselves and their supporters proud by winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India's premier List A competition!
46.3 Manoj Ingale to Sheldon Jackson, FOUR! Saurashtra are the Vijay Hazare Champions. The entire team run on to the field to celebrate while Unadkat eyes closed sinks to his knees to offer a silent prayer. The winning runs fittingly came from the blade of Jackson. Length and down leg, glanced away fine and then the celebrations begin. Well deserved champions - Saurashtra
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Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
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