During the Women’s U19 T20 Trophy quarter-final match between Karnataka and Vidarbha in Nagpur on Thursday, October 22, an unexpected guest— a monkey—added a surprising twist to the game. The incident unfolded when Karnataka fielder Uma Kashvi was fielding near the boundary and noticed the monkey running towards her. Startled, she attempted to move aside but lost her balance and fell as the monkey dashed past her. Thankfully, she quickly regained her composure and continued with the match.
After that brief interruption, the focus shifted back to the game, which was closely contested. Karnataka managed to hold their nerve and clinched a narrow six-run victory, securing a spot in the semi-finals.
### KASHVI’S EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE
Uma Kashvi played a vital role in Karnataka’s success with her impressive bowling performance, taking three wickets for just 18 runs in four overs. Her contribution was crucial as Karnataka defended their total against a determined Vidarbha team.
Batting first, Karnataka scored 140 runs for seven wickets in their 20 overs. They found themselves in a tough spot at 65 for five, but Kushi Suryakanth and Inchara Umesh stepped up, forming a crucial 38-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Suryakanth remained not out at 33, with Karnika Karthik adding 23 runs to help Karnataka set a competitive target.
Vidarbha started their chase well but struggled to keep the momentum going as Karnataka consistently picked up wickets. Swara Thakare ended up not out on 32, while Sakshi Bhupal contributed 25 runs. Despite their efforts, Vidarbha fell short, finishing at 134 for seven, which meant Karnataka emerged victorious by six runs.
Next, Karnataka will face Baroda in the semi-finals on October 24 at the Lady Amritbai Daga College Ground in Nagpur. The other semi-final will feature Delhi and Haryana at the same venue later that day.
### A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR KASHVI
Kashvi’s standout performance comes at an exciting time, as she has registered for the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction in 2027 with a base price of Rs 10 lakh. This is a significant milestone for the young cricketer, as she aims to catch the attention of franchise teams with her performances in domestic cricket.
While the monkey’s surprise visit will surely be remembered, it was the match itself and Karnataka’s resilient display that truly stole the spotlight. With Kashvi’s three-wicket haul, the team is one step closer to claiming the championship.
