Saurashtra has once again cemented its status as a powerhouse in Indian domestic cricket by storming into the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 2026. In a high stakes semi final clash against Punjab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, it was opener Vishvaraj Jadeja who stole the show. His monumental unbeaten century turned a challenging chase into a clinical victory, ensuring Saurashtra a chance to fight for the coveted silver ware.

Punjab Sets a Competitive Target

Winning the toss and electing to bowl, Saurashtra captain Harvik Desai relied on his bowlers to keep the explosive Punjab batting lineup in check. Punjab started strongly with an opening stand of 60 runs between Prabhsimran Singh and Harnoor Singh. While Harnoor fell for 33, Anmolpreet Singh joined his captain to build a formidable platform.

Anmolpreet played a superb innings, reaching a well crafted 100 off 105 deliveries. He was ably supported by Prabhsimran Singh, who scored a fighting 87. At one stage, Punjab looked poised to cross the 320 mark. However, Saurashtra’s premier pacer Chetan Sakariya triggered a late collapse by taking 4 wickets for 60 runs. Punjab eventually finished their 50 overs at 291 all out, a total that required a disciplined chase from Saurashtra.

The Vishvaraj Jadeja Show Begins

Chasing 292 for a spot in the final, Saurashtra needed a solid start, and they got exactly that from their opening pair. Vishvaraj Jadeja and Harvik Desai walked out with intent, punishing any loose deliveries from the Punjab pacers. While Desai played the anchor role with a composed 64 off 63 balls, Jadeja was the aggressor from the very first over.

Jadeja reached his half century in just 29 balls, setting a frantic pace for the innings. The duo put on a massive 172 run opening stand that effectively sucked the life out of the Punjab defense. Even after Desai’s departure, Jadeja remained undeterred, continuing to find the boundaries with surgical precision.

A Career Best Knock Under Pressure

Vishvaraj Jadeja’s performance was nothing short of a batting masterclass. He reached his hundred in just 74 deliveries, but he did not stop there. Sensing the opportunity to finish the game early, he shifted gears and took the Punjab spinners to the cleaners. By the time the winning runs were hit, Jadeja was unbeaten on a staggering 165 runs from just 127 balls.

His innings included 18 boundaries and three towering sixes. What made this knock special was the strike rate of nearly 130 in a high pressure knockout game. He remained calm even when Punjab tried to build pressure with dot balls, ensuring that the required run rate never climbed out of reach.

Supporting Acts and Final Victory

While Jadeja was the undisputed hero, he found great support in Prerak Mankad toward the end of the chase. Mankad scored an unbeaten 52 off 49 balls, playing his part in an unbroken 121 run partnership for the second wicket. Their combined effort saw Saurashtra reach 293 for 1 in just 39.3 overs, winning the match by 9 wickets with more than ten overs to spare.

This dominant victory was a testament to the depth and resilience of the Saurashtra squad. The team has shown incredible consistency throughout the tournament, and the semi final performance has sent a strong message to their upcoming opponents.