Vijay Hazare Trophy: Karnataka brace for Vidarbha challenge

BENGALURU: Devdutt Padikkal could hardly have asked for a richer purple patch than the one he is currently enjoying in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. The numbers underline the effort: a tournament-record 719 runs from eight matches at an astonishing average of 103, embellished by four centuries and two half-centuries.Defending champions Karnataka have built their campaign on the solid base laid by the prolific left-handed opener. Come Thursday, Padikkal’s form will once again be under the spotlight when Karnataka face a formidable Vidarbha unit in the first semifinal — a repeat of last year’s title clash. Padikkal’s dominance has been central to Karnataka’s batting. The other members of the top order — skipper Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair and R Smaran — have sparkled in patches.That means added responsibility on the quartet, along with wicketkeeper-batter KL Shrijith and the explosive Abhinav Manohar, to raise their collective output against a Vidarbha side that has dismantled opponents through cohesion rather than individual brilliance.Vidarbha, too, draw their batting strength from a young run-machine, Aman Mokhade. He is just a rung below Padikkal on the tournament charts with 643 runs and four centuries. He is backed by an experienced toporder featuring Dhruv Shorey and former Karnataka mainstay R Samarth.The conditions could also play a decisive role. The semifinals and final will be played under lights. Karnataka, who opted for a four-pronged pace attack in the quarterfinal against Mumbai, may once again weigh the conditions carefully. Among Karnataka’s pacers, Vidhyadhar Patil has stood out for his consistency and control.A 1.30 pm start will neutralise early assistance for bowlers, making defending totals less demanding.