![Punjab and Vidarbha qualified for VHT SF [Source: LoyalSachinFan, srhorangearmy/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768304027938_PrabhsimranSinghHarshDubeyIPL.jpg?type=hq)
Punjab and Vidarbha qualified for VHT SF [Source: LoyalSachinFan, srhorangearmy/X.com]
The second day of the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-finals saw Punjab go head-on with Madhya Pradesh, and Vidarbha face Delhi for the final two spots in the semi-final at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Contrary to the first two QFs, both teams batting first came on top on Tuesday, with some prominent Punjab Kings batters, including Prabhsimran Singh, in action alongside the likes of Vidarbha's Yash Rathod and Harsh Dubey making crucial contributions to help their team to wins in respective matches.
Here's a brief look at the key performers from the matches.
Prabhismran and Wadhera power Punjab past Venkatesh Iyer's MP
While batting first upon losing the toss at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, the Punjab Kings duo of Prabhsimran Singh and Harnoor Singh got off to a flying start. They added 116 runs in 21.2 overs at the top of the order before Harnoor fell for 51 off 71 with 7 fours and a six.
Prabhsimran went on to score 88(86) with 8 fours and two sixes to set a foundation for a big first innings total. Anmolpreet Singh then added 70(62) with 8 fours and two sixes, before another Punjab Kings star, Nehal Wadhera, scored a blistering 56(38) in his first match of the competition, scoring 8 fours and a six. Following this 76(50) partnership, Ramandeep Singh provided the final touches of 24*(15) and took Punjab to 345/6 runs.
Venkatesh Iyer got 2/60 (7) alongside Triupresh Singh's 2/61 (10) before Madhya Pradesh capitulated in the chase. Starting with two wickets in powerplay for Gurnoor Brar and a double-wicket 14th over for Sanvir Singh, MP was put on the back foot with 57/4 in 14 overs on the board. In the process, Sanvir also dismissed Venkatesh Iyer for 0(2).
Despite Rajat Patidar's two sixes and a four for his 38(40) and Tripuresh's 31(30) with four fours, MP was bundled for 162 runs in 31.2 overs, and Punjab booked their spot in the final by 183 runs. Sanvir picked 3/31 (6), while Ramandeep Singh got 2/23 (3.4), Gurnoor Brar took 2/27 (6.4), and Krish Bhagat dismissed 2/28 (6).
Rathod and Taide shine with fifties; Captain Dubey picks 3 as Vidarbha KO Delhi
Following the trend of the other three quarter-finals, the Ishant Sharma-led Delhi asked Vidarbha to bat first, and Navdeep Saini quickly got rid of Aman Mokhade, who is the second-highest run-scorer of the competition. However, Atharva Taide and Dhruv Shorey combined for a 90-run partnership, where Taide got 62(72) with 8 fours to his name.
Before being dismissed, in-form Shorey got 49(71), and the momentum was taken forward by Yash Rathod, who was involved in a mix-up, leading to a run out of Ravikumar Samarth for 23(24). Batting till the 49th over, the leading run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy 2024/25, Rathod got an important knock of 73-ball-86 runs, laced with 8 fours and 2 towering sixes.
Ishant Sharma led the bowling unit from the front with 2/47 (9) and restricted Vidarbha to 300/9. Saini (2/68), Prince Yadav (2/59) and Nitish Rana (2/19) were the other wicket-takers.
PBKS star Priyansh Arya got Delhi's chase going with his trademark attacking approach and scored 28(19) before he was dismissed when the score read 58/1 in 7.4 overs. Following Arya, Nachiket Bhute got rid of the dangerous Nitish Rana for a golden duck with a bouncer, and he was backed up by another double-wicket over from captain Harsh Dubey to reduce Delhi to 80/4.
Despite a fighting 66(98) with 7 fours for Anuj Rawat, Vidarbha squeezed Delhi's chase through an economical spell of 3/36 (10) from Dubey, alongside Yash Kadam's 1/25 (10). Bhute finished with 4/51, and Praful Hinge ended with 2/54, courtesy of a double-wicket over. Delhi was bowled out for 224 in 45.1 overs, as the 2024/25 runner-ups reach another semi-final.
