Skipper Harvik Desai led from the front with an unbeaten century as Saurashtra humbled Uttar Pradesh by 17 runs using the VJD Method in a rain-interrupted match to reach the semifinals of the Vijay Hazare
Trophy on Monday.
Despite missing their in-form wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who had joined the Indian team following Rishabh Pant’s injury, Uttar Pradesh managed a challenging total of 310 for eight after being invited to bat first.
In response, Saurashtra were 238 for three in 40.1 overs when rain halted play, and they emerged victorious after the V. Jayadevan (VJD) method was applied.
Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 Quarterfinal: Uttar Pradesh Vs Saurashtra – Highlights
Saurashtra needed 77 runs in the last 10 overs, a feasible target with their captain in strong form. Desai was batting on exactly 100 off 116 balls when the match was stopped, having contributed to a crucial second-wicket partnership of 133 runs with Prerak Mankad (67 off 66 balls).
Desai then found another capable partner in Chirag Jani (40 not out off 31 balls), with whom he added 76 runs for the fourth wicket, ensuring his side finished on the winning end.
During his innings, Desai hit eight fours and two sixes as Saurashtra edged out UP, who topped Group B after winning all their matches in the league stage. Saurashtra finished second in Group D, winning five of their seven matches.
The absence of Jurel, who had scored 558 runs in seven innings during the league stage, was a significant blow to UP, but the team was well served by opener Abhishek Goswami and Sameer Rizvi, both scoring fluent knocks of 88 off 82 and 77 balls respectively, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2.
Goswami hit 12 fours during his innings, while Sameer Rizvi struck 10 boundaries and two sixes during his entertaining stint.
Rizvi, who partnered for 50 runs with Prashant Veer (30 off 31 balls) and 45 with Goswami, helped UP recover after skipper Rinku Singh (13 off 20 balls) didn’t meet expectations.
Priyam Garg contributed 35 off 39 balls in the middle order, adding 57 runs for the third wicket with Goswami after UP lost two wickets with 42 runs on the board in the ninth over.
Down the order, leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari chipped in with a useful 20 off 11 balls, helping UP cross the 300-run mark.
UP’s start was far from ideal, losing Aryan Juyal (0) with only 10 runs on the board. One-down batter Rituraj Sharma also couldn’t play a significant innings as Saurashtra made early inroads.
However, Goswami and Rizvi led the recovery.
Left-arm seamer Chetan Sakariya was the most successful bowler for Saurashtra, recording figures of 3/54, while Ankur Panwar and Prerak Mankad took two wickets each. Ankur, however, conceded 75 runs in his 10 overs.
Vijay Hazare Trophy – Brief Scores:
Uttar Pradesh: 310/8 in 50 overs (Abhishek Goswami 88, Sameer Rizvi 88; Chetan Sakariya 3/54)
Saurashtra: 238/3 in 40.1 overs (Harvik Desai 100 not out, Prerak Mankad 67, Chirag Jani 40 not out).
(With inputs from Agencies)
