🏏 Match Summary: Karnataka vs Kerala
- Kerala: 284/7 (50 Overs) | M. Azharuddeen 84*, Baba Aparajith 50
- Karnataka: 285/2 (48.2 Overs) | Karun Nair 130*, Devdutt Padikkal 124
- 🏆 Result: Karnataka won by 8 wickets
Ahmedabad: In a display of sheer dominance, Karun Nair produced a commanding unbeaten century as Karnataka defeated Kerala by eight wickets in a high-scoring Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 clash at the Sardar Patel Stadium B on Friday.
Chasing a competitive target of 285, Karnataka completed the task in 48.2 overs, maintaining their unbeaten run in the tournament. Nair anchored the chase with a composed 130 off 130 balls, staying till the end, while Smaran Ravichandran chipped in with 25 not out to seal the win.
Padikkal & Nair: The Game Changers
Karnataka’s chase was briefly dented when captain Mayank Agarwal fell early. However, a match-defining partnership between Devdutt Padikkal and Karun Nair changed the course of the game.
Padikkal scored a superb 124, as the duo added over 200 runs for the second wicket, leaving Kerala’s bowlers with little answer. With this win, Karnataka registered their second consecutive victory, while Kerala suffered their first defeat of the season.
Kerala's Innings: Azharuddeen's Late Flourish
Earlier, Kerala posted 284 for 7 after being put in to bat. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammed Azharuddeen played a crucial role at the death, finishing unbeaten on 84 off 58 balls, helping Kerala recover after a middle-overs slowdown. Baba Aparajith also contributed with a fluent half-century at the top.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople
"Karnataka’s top-order dominance once again underlined their batting depth and chasing strength in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Karun Nair’s calm authority and Devdutt Padikkal’s attacking flair make Karnataka a formidable side, while Kerala will look to regroup quickly after a rare off-day with the ball."