New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh stunned Delhi in the second semi-final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 to set up final showdown with 2022 champions Mumbai. MP, the underdogs in the semi-final against favourites Delhi, produced an all-round display to enter their second SMAT final and first since the 2010/11 edition. Opting to bowl first at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, MP restricted Delhi to a below-par total of 146 for 5 in 20 overs.
Madhya Pradesh are into the Final 👏👏
Harpreet Bhatia seals the win with a 6⃣
Captain Rajat Patidar led from the front with a splendid 66*(29) to help Madhya Pradesh chase down 147 from 15.4 overs against Delhi 🔥#SMAT | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/Fa4GwxKzs6 pic.twitter.com/5RL3V1kQD6
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 13, 2024
Patidar smashes blazing half-century
In reply, Rajat Patidar, the skipper, smashed 66 off 29 balls, including six sixes and four boundaries to help MP reach the target in 15.4 overs. Patidar shared a fourth-wicket stand of 106 off 57 balls with Harpreet Singh Bhatia (46) to power MP into the final.
Opting to field, MP’s bowlers produced a clinical display as star Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer picked up two wickets for 12 runs to help his team restrict Delhi, the 2018 champions below 150.
While Patidar dealt in sixes to punish the Delhi bowlers, Harpreet stood firm at one end and struck four boundaries and two sixes during his knock. Harpreet finished the match in style, smashing a six off Suyash Sharma, who conceded 45 runs in 3.4 overs. Opener Harsh Gawli (30) also made a crucial contribution in the top order.
Delhi fail to capitalise on solid start
Sent into bat, Delhi made a solid start but lost momentum due to a series of mini-collapses. Yash Dhull (11) and Priyansh Arya (29) stitched a 38-run stand in the first 33 balls before Tripuresh Singh (1/18) and Kumar Kartikeya (1/23) struck in quick succession to leave Delhi at 54/2 in the ninth over.
Iyer, the man with the golden arm, took two wickets in three balls to remove skipper Ayush Badoni (19) and Himmat Singh (15) as Delhi slumped to 79/5.
Anuj Rawat (33 off 24 balls) and Mayank Rawat (24 off 21 balls) provided some late impetus to the Delhi innings but their late contributions were not enough to take Delhi to a strong total.
Rajat Patidar led from the front with an unbeaten blazing half-century as Madhya Pradesh stunned Delhi in SMAT semi-final in Bengaluru. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
