Anubhav Agarwal ran through Andhra's batting lineup with a superb six-wicket haul to propel Madhya Pradesh into the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy following a four-run victory over Andhra in Indore on Monday. (More Cricket News)
In a low-scoring quarterfinal played at the Holkar Stadium, bowlers ruled the roost for the majority of the contest and despite a spirited fight from the visiting side, Madhya Pradesh prevailed to ꩲmake it to the final four.
With this win, the 2021-22 champions Madh𒆙ya Pradesh became the second team after Tamil Nadu to enter the semifinals.
On what turned out to be the final day, Andhra were bowled out for a mere 165 chasing 170 to win 🍎on the fourth d﷽ay.
Resuming at 95/4 and with their senior batter Hanuma Vihari on strike with 75 runs more needed to win, Andhra were the more confident si🐲de but Agarwal led a stunning fightback once again for Madhya Pradesh.
Having taken three wickets in the first innings 🔯to help Madhya Pradesh take a vital lead of 62 runs, Agarwal terrorised the Andhra batters in the second innings to return figures of 6/52 from 19 over🅠s.
Kulwant Khejroliya picked 🌠2/40 while Kumar Kartikeya and Saransh Jain bagged one wicket apiece.
Agarwal struck thrice to put Madhya Pradesh in complete command when he ha🔜d overnight batter Karan Shinde (14) trapped leg-before in the 51st over of the innings.
In his next over, Agarwal had Vihari (55 off 136 balls,♋ 5 fours) caught by wicketkeeper Himanshu Mantri and pinned Shoaib Mohammed Khan (0) in front of the wickets for a first-ball duck.
While Khejroliya removed KV Sasikanth (7), Andhra threatened to take the game away from MP's grasp with a 32-run s💮tand for the ninth wicket between Girinath Reddy (15 off 42 balls) and Ash💯win Hebbar (22 off 52 balls).
Agarwal found a timely breakthrough getting rid of Girinath, which made the task more difficult for A🌊ndhra who needed another nine runs with one wicket in hand.
With five 🦋runs needed for Andhra to win, Khejroꦗliya trapped No 7 Hebbar (22 off 42 balls) to deliver a narrow win for his side.
For his match haul o💎f 9/85, Agarwal was declared the player of the match.
Brief scores:💙 Madhya Pra🦹desh 234 & 107 beat Andhra 172 & 165 in 69.2 overs (Hanuma Vihari 55; Anubhav Agarwal 6/52) by 4 runs.
