Did Kohli and Pant's Fifties Lead Delhi to a Thrilling Victory Over Gujarat?
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Synopsis
In a gripping encounter at the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Delhi edged out Gujarat by just seven runs, thanks to stellar performances from Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant, who both scored fifties. The match saw a dramatic finish, highlighting the unpredictability of cricket.
Key Takeaways
- Virat Kohli scored a quick 77 runs.
- Rishabh Pant contributed a steady 70 runs.
- Delhi posted a total of 254/9 in their innings.
- Gujarat's middle-order collapse cost them the match.
- Rajesh Mohanty made history with a hat-trick.
New Delhi, Dec 26 (NationPress) Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant delivered impressive fifties as Gujarat faltered towards the end, allowing Delhi to secure a thrilling seven-run win in their Elite Group D clash of the Vijay Hazare Trophy at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) Ground in Bengaluru on Friday.
Kohli's dynamic 77 from 61 balls and Pant's composed 70 from 79 balls propelled Delhi to a total of 254/9 in their 50 overs. In response, despite a strong position at 213/5, Gujarat's innings collapsed, ending at 247 all out in 47.4 overs.
Kohli showcased his classic style after entering the game post the early exit of opener Priyansh Arya. He reached his half-century in a mere 29 balls, featuring 10 fours and a six, before being dismissed by left-arm spinner Vishal Jayswal for 77.
Pant, leading Delhi, steadied the middle-order with a rare show of composure, displaying his usual flair after reaching his fifty. His partnership of 73 runs with Harsh Tyagi (40) was vital before Jayswal took his fourth wicket, finishing with impressive figures of 4-42.
Gujarat appeared on track for victory, benefiting from solid partnerships, including a 67-run stand between Urvil Patel (31) and Aarya Desai (57), followed by another 54 runs with Abhishek Desai. However, a sudden middle-order collapse saw them lose four wickets for just 23 runs. Saurabh Chauhan (49 off 43) and Jayswal revived the innings with a 69-run partnership for the sixth wicket, but the wicket of Chauhan, taken by Simarjeet Singh, signaled a second collapse.
With 12 runs required from 17 balls and only one wicket remaining, Prince Yadav (3-37) bowled out Ravi Bishnoi, with Kohli taking the catch, sealing a nail-biting victory for Delhi.
Meanwhile, Rajesh Mohanty from Odisha made history as the first player from his state to achieve a hat-trick in List A cricket, leading his team to a comfortable four-wicket win over Services at Alur Cricket Stadium III.
Mohanty dismissed opener Sagar Dahiya before trapping Amit Shukla and Ravi Chauhan lbw in consecutive deliveries, completing the hat-trick and reducing Services to 21/3. He ended with figures of 4-25 as Services were bowled out for 83 in 21.5 overs, which Odisha chased down with ease.
Brief scores:
Delhi: 254/9 in 50 overs (Virat Kohli 77, Rishabh Pant 70; Vishal Jayswal 4/42) defeated Gujarat 247 all out in 47.4 overs (Aarya Desai 57, Saurabh Chauhan 49; Prince Yadav 3-37, Ishant Sharma 2-28) by seven runs.
Services: 83 all out in 21.5 overs (Rajesh Mohanty 4-25, Sambit Baral 4-21) lost to Odisha 84/6 in 24.3 overs (Sandeep Pattnaik 32 not out) by four wickets.
Railways: 266/9 in 50 overs (Ravi Singh 76, Ansh Yadav 59; Satyanarayana Raju 3-41, Narasimha Raju 3-68) lost to Andhra 271/4 in 44.4 overs (Ricky Bhui 76, Nitish Kumar Reddy 55 not out; Karn Sharma 3-46) by six wickets.
Saurashtra: 253 all out in 50 overs (Harvik Desai 101, Sammar Gajjar 83; Anshul Kamboj 3-30) lost to Haryana: 256/4 in 39 overs (Yashvardhan Dalal 164 not out, Parth Vats 67; Ankur Panwar 3-51) by six wickets.
Point of View
This match showcased the unpredictable nature of cricket, where fortunes can change in the blink of an eye. Kohli and Pant's contributions were crucial, but Gujarat's inability to close out the innings raises questions about their middle-order resilience. As always, the spirit of competition remains strong.
NationPress
27/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the standout players in the match?
Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant were the standout players for Delhi, both scoring fifties and contributing significantly to their total.
What was the final score of the match?
Delhi scored 254/9, while Gujarat was bowled out for 247, leading to a seven-run victory for Delhi.
Where was the match played?
The match was played at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Centre of Excellence Ground in Bengaluru.
What impact did Vishal Jayswal have on the game?
Vishal Jayswal was instrumental for Gujarat, taking 4 wickets for 42 runs, but it wasn't enough to secure victory.
What was Rajesh Mohanty's achievement in the other match?
Rajesh Mohanty became the first player from Odisha to claim a hat-trick in List A cricket during his team's victory over Services.
