Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: Padikkal’s 147 leads Karnataka to record chase against Jharkhand

Karnataka’s title defence kicked off gloriously as it scaled down a record target against Jharkhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 match at the Narendra Modi Stadium Ground B here on Wednesday.

Player-of-the-Match Devdutt Padikkal’s superbly paced century (147, 118b, 10×4, 7×6) eclipsed Ishan Kishan’s whirlwind knock (125, 39b, 7×4, 14×6), the second fastest List-A century by an Indian, as Karnataka chased down the highest target (413) in the tournament’s history with 15 balls to spare for the loss of five wickets.

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Captain Mayank Agarwal (54, 34b, 10×4) and Padikkal gave their side a flying start by adding 114 for the first wicket in just 11.5 overs. The run-rate was sustained with quickfire knocks by Karun Nair (29, 27b, 4×4), R. Smaran (27, 21b, 1×4, 1×6) and K.L. Shrijith (38, 32b, 5×4) as Padikkal dropped the anchor after his initial flourish.

The spinners brought a modicum of control in the middle overs, but Padikkal changed gears after completing his century off 87 balls, taking on the medium pacers in their second spells to keep Karnataka in the hunt. Padikkal’s dismissal against the run of play saw Abhinav Manohar (56 not out, 32b, 8×4, 1×6) and debutant Dhruv Prabhakar (40 not out, 22b, 6×4, 1×6) figure in an unbroken 88-run sixth wicket stand off 41 balls that took Karnataka to an incredible victory.

Earlier, Jharkhand captain, Ishan Kishan carried on his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy form by slamming a 33-ball century that saw Jharkhand amass 151 in the final 10 overs. Coming in at the end of the 38th over, Ishan clubbed 14 sixes as Jharkhand posted a formidable total of 412 for nine in 50 overs.

Tamil Nadu started its campaign with a 101-run win over Pondicherry.

Polished knocks from Pradosh Ranjan Paul (73, 79b, 6×4, 1×6) and captain N. Jagadeesan (67, 91b, 6×4, 1×6), and an explosive finish by Sunny Sandhu (31, 14b, 1×4, 3×6) saw Tamil Nadu build on a solid start given by the openers to score 310 for nine. Pondicherry’s chase was scuppered by the fall of regular wickets. Opener Neyan Kangan (60, 68b, 8×4, 1×6) resisted but his dismissal brought a swift end to the innings.