In a stunning display of batting prowess at the BCCI Center of Excellence, Oh Mokhade On Wednesday (January 15, 2026), he masterfully prepared a running race Vidarbha to a comfortable six-wicket win over the eventual champions Karnataka. The win lifts Vidarbha to the second straight spot Vijay Hazare trophy final ended Karnataka’s hopes of retaining the title in their own backyard. While Mokhade is the undisputed star with the bat, the pacer Darshan Nalkande laid the foundation with the deadly five elbows.
Aman Mokhade continues his dream run in the tournament
Chasing a tough target of 281 in a high-pressure semi-final, Vidarbha needed someone to step up, especially after losing the opener. Atharva Taide early. Enter Mokhade. Continuing his dream run in the 2025-26 season, Mokhade smashed a match-winning 138 off just 122 balls. His innings, laced with 12 crisp fours and two powerful sixes, was a perfect blend of caution and aggression. He paced his shots beautifully, ensuring that the required run rate never got out of control.
The century marked Mokhade’s fifth ton of the tournament, an amazing feat that took him to the top of the season’s scoring charts with 781 runs. His ability to perform in a knockout game against a strong Karnataka attack highlighted his growing stature in the domestic circuit.
Although Mokhade was the cornerstone of the chase, he received vital support from his teammates. After stabilizing the shots with the year Dhruv Shorey (47), Mokhade found an able ally in Ravikumar Samarth.
The duo frustrated the Karnataka bowlers and put on a decisive 147-run stand that effectively sealed the match. Samarth played a perfect second fiddle, spinning the shot and finding the boundaries when needed, eventually finishing unbeaten on 76. Vidarbha comfortably crossed the finish line in 46.2 overs with six wickets in hand.
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Darshan Nalkande’s bowling brilliance derails Karnataka
Put into bat earlier in the day, Karnataka looked set for a total of over 300 overs. Experienced campaigners Karun Nair (76) and KL Srijit (54) put together a solid partnership, laying a strong platform for the hosts. However, Vidarbha pacer Nakande had other plans. Nalkande, who took his A-game to the semi-finals, suffered a dramatic collapse and death in the middle. His disciplined line and length, coupled with smart changes, proved a lot for the Karnataka middle order.
Nalkande finished with brilliant figures of 48 for 5, restricting Karnataka to 280 from a comfortable position. His spell was crucial in keeping the target within chaseable boundaries for the Vidarbha batsmen.
This win is a massive statement from the Vidarbha side. Defeating eventual champions Karnataka at home in Bengaluru proves Vidarbha’s consistency and hunger for silverware. Having secured their place in the final of the second consecutive Vijay Hazare Trophy, Vidarbha will now await the winner of the second semi-final. Punjab and Saurashtraeager to go a step further than last year and lift the coveted trophy.
