In a pulsating final that was alive right until the very end, Haryana’s bowlers held their nerve to clinch their maiden Vijay Hazare crown in Rajkot. It meant a century in a steep chase under pressure by Rajasthan opener Abhijeet Tomar, who lifted his side from 12 for 3, ended up in a losing cause. Rajasthan were in firm control going into the last 10 overs needing 76 with five wickets in hand. Then in his next over, off the 46th, he had the big-hitting Ajay Singh hole out to deep square. It meant Ashok Menaria, in his first season as a professional for Haryana, lifted the crown against the side he represented with great distinction – he’s a two-time Ranji Trophy winner – for over a decade. His 124-run stand for the third wicket with opener Ankit Kumar set it up for Haryana. Ankit, who has enjoyed a breakthrough List A season, did the early running to make a fluent 88, before falling to left-arm-seamer Aniket Choudhary. Late cameos from allrounders Nishant Sindhu, Rahul Tewatia and Sumit Kumar merely reiterated Haryana’s batting depth. At 12 for 3, Rajasthan were in danger of being blown away.
