Both players were fabulous and scored timely knocks to revive Karnataka.
Mumbai Indians’ latest scouting masterclass Krishnan Shrijith showed why the five-time champions chased him during the auction. He played a big knock in the 2024/25 Vijay Hazare Trophy final between Karnataka and Vidarbha in Vadodara.
While batting at number 5, Krishnan scored 78 runs off 74 deliveries, comprising nine boundaries and a maximum, at a strike rate of 105.41. When he reached the crease, Karnataka were in slight trouble as they were reduced to 67/3 and were in desperate need of a partnership.
Krishnan was judicious with his shot selection and played according to the situation while ensuring that the scoring rate did not drop too much. He wove a vital 160-run stand with Smaran Ravichandran, who scored a fantastic century.
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Krishnan’s knock set the stage for the big batsmen to come and advance the innings quickly to take Karnataka to a big score. Had he gotten out during that tough opening phase, his team would have struggled more and Karnataka might have ended up with a below-par score in the first innings.
SRH’s Abhinav Manohar also strikes a timely blow
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s hard-hitting batsman Abhinav Manohar was at his menacing best later in the innings. SRH bought him for INR 3.20 crore during the IPL 2025 auction as he became one of the most expensive uncapped players.
Manohar scored 79 runs off 42 deliveries, including ten boundaries and four maximums, at a strike rate of 188.10. 81.01% of his runs came in fours and sixes, and he hit a boundary every three deliveries.
His knock was precisely what Karnataka required after the top and middle-order batsmen laid an ideal platform for the finishers as Manohar showed his true range and ability to hit the pacers at will. He hit boundaries all over the field and helped Karnataka post a massive total of 348/6 in the allotted 50 overs in the first innings.
He had played a couple of decent shots earlier in the tournament, but this was easily his best game yet, and Manohar couldn’t have found a better occasion to play it. This entry by Manohar could be decisive in this close contest.
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