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Venkatesh Iyer's all-round performance leads MP to the semi-finals
Venkatesh Iyer's all-round performance leads MP to the semi-finals
Arpit Gaud and Harpreet also contributed to the 174 chase as MP entered their first SMAT semis since 2010-11
Harpreet Singh and Venkatesh Iyer's powerful batting helped Madhya Pradesh (MP) chase down 174 runs against Saurashtra with four balls and six wickets left in Alur. This win took MP to their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy semi-final since the 2010-11 season.
Venkatesh Iyer, who was named Player of the Match, scored an unbeaten 38 runs off 33 balls and took 2 wickets for 23 runs in three overs. Harpreet Singh played an aggressive nine-ball innings, hitting 22 not out to secure the win. Before their 29-run partnership to finish the chase, Arpit Gaud (42 off 29 balls), Subhranshu Senapati (24 off 16), and captain Rajat Patidar (28 off 18) set up MP's strong position.
Saurashtra’s total of 173 was largely due to Chirag Jani's unbeaten 80 off 45 balls, as no other batter crossed 17 runs (Harvik Desai and Jay Gohil both scored 17). Jani smashed eight fours and four sixes, adding 45 runs in the last three overs. At one point, he scored 54 off 36 balls, but from the 18th over, he hit two sixes and two fours. Jay Gohil also contributed with two sixes during this period. Despite their efforts, Saurashtra's score wasn't enough to stop MP.