India, Jan. 15 -- Vidarbha booked their place in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (Elite) 2025-26 final with a clinical six-wicket win over Karnataka at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Karnataka, after winning the toss and opting to bat, were jolted early. Skipper Mayank Agarwal and Devdutt Padikkal fell inside the first seven overs and, when Dhruv Prabhakar departed soon after, Karnataka were 74 for 3 and searching for stability. Karun Nair provided it with a measured 76 off 90 balls, choosing percentage cricket through the middle overs and punishing anything loose. Wicketkeeper Krishnan Shrijith added urgency with a 54-ball 54, and their 113-run fourth-wicket stand lifted Karnataka to 187 for 4.

Vidarbha, thoug...