India wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel produced a breathtaking knock in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025, delivering a match-winning performance for Uttar Pradesh against Baroda in Rajkot. Playing the Elite Group B fixture at Sanosara Cricket Ground A, the young batter registered a career-best innings of 160 runs off just 101 deliveries, guiding his side to a commanding 54-run victory.
Jurel remained unbeaten throughout his innings and dominated the Baroda bowling attack with remarkable authority. He struck 15 boundaries and cleared the ropes eight times, scoring at an impressive strike rate of 158.41. His aggressive yet composed knock ensured that the bowlers were under pressure for most of the innings. The innings also marked Jurel’s maiden List A century, a milestone effort that earned him the Player of the Match award.
He received solid support from Abhishek Goswami, who contributed a steady 51, while skipper Rinku Singh added a fluent 63. Their combined efforts helped Uttar Pradesh post a formidable total of 369 for 7 in the allotted 50 overs, setting Baroda a stiff target.
For Baroda, Raj Limbani was the most effective bowler, finishing with four wickets while conceding runs at an economy rate of 7.40. Aryan Chavda chipped in with two wickets, and Rasikh Salam picked up one, but the overall bowling effort lacked control as most bowlers went for heavy runs.
In response, Baroda began the chase with positive intent. Openers Shashwat Rawat and Shivalik Sharma laid a decent foundation with scores of 60 and 30 respectively. Captain Krunal Pandya then anchored the innings with a well-made 82, while Vishnu Solanki contributed 43 and Atit Sheth added a quick 46. Despite the strong middle-order effort, the required run rate continued to climb.
Uttar Pradesh’s bowlers held their nerve to defend the total. Zeeshan Ansari emerged as the standout performer with the ball, claiming three wickets while conceding just 53 runs in his 10-over spell. Sameer Rizvi and Vipraj Nigam provided crucial support, picking up two wickets each, effectively halting Baroda’s chase and restricting them to 315.
With this performance, Jurel has climbed to second place on the list of highest run-scorers in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025. He has accumulated 307 runs from three matches at a staggering average of 153.50.
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