Haryana emerged champions in the Vijay Hazare Trophy defeating Rajasthan by 30 runs in the final at Rajkot on Saturday.
Chasing 288, Rajasthan got off to a poor start. Seamer Sumit Kumar was excellent with the new ball as he reduced them to 12/3 in the sixth over. He picked three wickets in three overs, including the prized scalp of Deepak Hooda for a golden duck. Hooda’s outstanding century against Karnataka in the semi-final had helped them reach the final.
Karan Lamba then joined Abhijeet Tomar and the duo weathered the early storm. But Rahul Tewatia (2/50) broke the 68-run stand by castling Lamba.
Tomar (106) and Kunal Singh Rathore joined hands and stitched a century partnership for the fifth wicket. Once Harshal Patel (3/47) broke the stand, they needed 88 runs off the last 13 overs but Haryana bowlers stuck to their task to secure the victory.
Brief scores: Haryana 287/8 in 50 (Ankit Kumar 88, Ashok Menaria 70; Aniket Choudhary 4/49). Rajasthan 257 in 48 (Abhijeet Tomar 106, Kunal Rathore 79; Harshal Patel 3/47, Sumit Kumar 3/34). Haryana won by 30 runs.
