In pics: Karnataka eliminated from Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021, Baroda, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu qualify
Karnataka, who had won the previous two editions of the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Punjab in Motera.
The brand new Motera stadium, with a capacity of 110,000, finally played host to a cricket tournament as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021 entered the playoff stages. All the matches would be played in Motera and immediately, there was a shock in the making. Karnataka, the two-time reigning Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy winners, were eliminated from the tournament in dramatic style by an inspired performance from Punjab. Haryana seemed to have had the match in the bag but Baroda smashed 16 runs in the last three balls to snatch an unlikely win.
Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan also qualified for the semi-finals as the 2021 Syed Mushtaq Ali is all set to crown new champions. Amongst the new teams, only Baroda are the champions having won the tournament twice. Tamil Nadu entered the final of the 2020 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali but they lost by one run to Karnataka in Surat. Tamil Nadu will take on Rajasthan in the first semi-final while Punjab will take on Baroda in the other match. The final of the 2021 Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament will be played on January 31 and in either way, history might be created.
Rajasthan was boosted by a magnificent knock in the fourth quarterfinal of the Syed Mushtaq Ali 2021 tournament by Mahipal Lomror, who plays for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. (Image credit: BCCI Domestic Twitter handle)
Rajasthan was boosted by partnerships from Ankit Lamba and Bharat Sharma at the top in addition to Mahipal Lomror's knock. (Image credit: BCCI domestic Twitter handle)
Despite a partnership of 40 between Vikash Yadav and Mangal Mahrour, Bihar still fell short by 16 runs. (Image credit: BCCI Domestic Twitter handle)
Bihar had a good run in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021 but their inexperience on the big stage hurt them. (Image credit: BCCI Domestic Twitter handle)
The match between Baroda and Haryana boiled down to an absolute thriller. In the final over, Baroda needed 16 runs in three balls but Vishnu Solanki hit two sixes and a four off Sumit Kumar to snatch the unlikeliest of wins. (Image credit: BCCI Domestic Twitter handle)
In the other match, Tamil Nadu's discipline and accuracy helped them get the better of Himachal Pradesh in the other quarterfinal. (Image credit: BCCI Domestic Twitter handle)
Baba Aparajith and M Shahrukh Khan were the stars as Tamil Nadu managed to get going into the semi-finals. (Image credit: BCCI Domestic Twitter handle)
However, the biggest shock was current and two-time reigning champions Karnataka who bowed out of the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament after an inspired performance from Punjab. (Image credit: BCCI Domestic Twitter handle)