Bengaluru, Dec 13 (Reporter) Rajat Patidar’s scintillating 66* off just 29 balls was the cornerstone of Madhya Pradesh’s resounding seven-wicket victory over former champions Delhi, propelling them into their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final in 13 years. After a shaky start, with Madhya Pradesh reduced to 20/2 in the third over following the dismissals of openers Arpit Gaud (0) and Subhranshu Senapati (7) by veteran pacer Ishant Sharma, Patidar took charge of the chase with an unmatched display of power hitting. His aggressive strokeplay was on full display as he bludgeoned four fours and six sixes, rewriting the script for Madhya Pradesh. Patidar, who had already earned a reputation for his fearless batting, stood tall when his team needed him most. With composure and unrelenting aggression, he anchored the chase alongside Harpreet Singh Bhatia, who contributed an equally important 46* off 38 balls. Together, they shared an unbroken 106-run partnership off just 57 balls, calmly guiding Madhya Pradesh to their target with 15.4 overs to spare. Patidar’s knock not only ensured his team stayed on course but also demonstrated his adaptability and leadership in the pressure cooker of a crucial semi-final. His ability to control the game with the bat under pressure was key to the chase, as he took on the Delhi bowlers, dictating terms and knocking them off their line and length. His blistering unbeaten knock was the defining moment of the match, and it was a knock that would linger long in the memory of Madhya Pradesh’s cricketing history. Earlier, Madhya Pradesh's bowlers had set the tone for Patidar’s heroics. Opting to bowl first, the Madhya Pradesh attack, led by allrounder Venkatesh Iyer (2/12), kept Delhi to a modest 146/5. Though Delhi made a solid start through Yash Dhull (11) and Priyansh Arya (29), wickets fell at regular intervals, with Iyer, Tripuresh Singh (1/18), and Kumar Kartikeya (1/23) ensuring that Delhi’s momentum was always stifled. Patidar’s captaincy had been evident in the way his bowlers executed their plans, and the limited total made the chase manageable. Delhi's final push came through Anuj Rawat’s 33* off 24 balls and Mayank Rawat’s 24 off 21 balls, but it was clear that 146 was not enough to defend, especially with Patidar in full flow. With this win, Madhya Pradesh secured a place in the final, where they will face Mumbai on Sunday, with Patidar now poised to lead his side into their first-ever Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final victory. His match-winning performance in this semifinal ensured that Madhya Pradesh remained firmly in contention for the title, 13 years after their last final appearance. Patidar’s 66* was not just a knock; it was a statement of intent, one that carried his team to the final and left Delhi to wonder what might have been...////...