Vijay Hazare Trophy: Discover the Excitement

Discover the latest updates, match schedules, and player stats for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Stay informed about India’s premier domestic one-day cricket tournament.

🏏 Vijay Hazare Trophy: Latest Updates and Highlights

The cricketing focus is shifting to the domestic 50-over tournament, the Vijay Hazare Trophy, with significant news surrounding the upcoming edition and a look back at the most recent champions.

⭐ 2025-26 Edition: Star Power Confirmed

In a major boost for the tournament’s profile, Indian batting star Virat Kohli has confirmed his availability to play for Delhi in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, set to begin on December 24.

• 15-Year Return: This marks Kohli’s return to the competition for the first time since his appearance for Delhi in February 2010.
• BCCI Mandate: This commitment comes amid a renewed emphasis by the BCCI on the mandatory participation of centrally contracted players in domestic cricket when not on national duty or injured.
• Rohit Sharma’s Availability: It is also expected that senior batter Rohit Sharma will represent Mumbai in the tournament.
• Schedule Note: Delhi is scheduled to play its first match against Andhra in Bengaluru on December 24. Kohli will feature in his domestic duties after returning from the ongoing ODI series against South Africa and before the upcoming series against New Zealand in January.

🏆 2024-25 Season Recap: Karnataka Crowned Champions

The most recent edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which concluded in January 2025, saw Karnataka clinch their fifth title, equalling Tamil Nadu’s record for the most tournament wins.

Standout Performers of the 2024-25 Season:

• Player of the Tournament: Karun Nair (Vidarbha)
• Most Runs: Karun Nair (Vidarbha) with 779 runs
• Most Wickets: Arshdeep Singh (Punjab) with 20 wickets

Karnataka, led by Mayank Agarwal, had a strong run throughout the tournament, culminating in a dominating performance in the final against Vidarbha. Youngster Smaran Ravichandran’s century in the final proved decisive, securing the victory.

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🗓️ Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: Key Dates and Fixtures

The 2025-26 edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy is scheduled to run from December 24, 2025, to January 18, 2026. With the confirmation of star players like Virat Kohli (Delhi) and likely Rohit Sharma (Mumbai) participating, the tournament is set to be a major domestic event.

Here is a look at the schedule, focusing on the group stage and the key dates for knockout matches.

🗺️ Tournament Structure and Venues

• Participants: 38 teams divided into five groups (A, B, C, D, E).
• Group Stage: December 24, 2025 – January 8, 2026.
• Knockout Stage: January 9, 2026 – January 18, 2026.
• Host Cities (Group Stage): Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Vizianagaram.

🌟 Focus on Virat Kohli’s Delhi (Group E) Fixtures

Delhi is placed in Group E, with all their group matches currently scheduled to be played in Bengaluru (Venues include Alur, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, and BCCI Centre of Excellence grounds).

Note on Kohli’s Availability:

As Virat Kohli is scheduled to play an ODI series for India against New Zealand starting January 11, 2026, he is likely to be available only for the initial group stage matches of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

🥊 Knockout Stage Schedule (January 2026)

The knockout matches, which follow the conclusion of the group stage, are crucial, with the top teams battling it out for the trophy.

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As Delhi’s group will be one of the most-watched due to the presence of Virat Kohli and a host of competitive teams.

🌟 Delhi’s Group (Elite Group D/E)

Based on the latest reports and fixture information, Delhi is placed in a competitive group (reported as Group D or a group equivalent to Group E in some previous reports) alongside seven other teams.

The teams in Delhi’s group for the Elite division of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 are:

Key Group Stage Matches for Delhi

These matches featuring Delhi will be particularly watched for Virat Kohli’s performance:

With eight teams in the elite groups, Delhi will play seven matches in the group stage, giving Virat Kohli ample opportunity to get game time before his return to the national squad.

Haryana is a powerhouse in domestic cricket, and they achieved a historic feat in the tournament’s most recent completed edition.

Here is a detailed look at the Haryana team, their recent triumphs, and key players, especially as they prepare to face Delhi (and Virat Kohli) in the group stage.

🦁 Haryana Cricket Team: The Defending Champions (2023-24)

Haryana enters the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy as the most recent champion of the 2023-24 edition. Their victory was monumental as it marked their first-ever title in the history of the tournament.

🏆 Historic 2023-24 Campaign Highlights

Haryana had an undefeated run throughout the entire tournament, culminating in a dramatic final.

• Final Result (2023-24): Haryana defeated Rajasthan by 30 runs in the final, played in Rajkot.
  • Haryana set a competitive target of 287/8.
  • Rajasthan was bowled out for 257 in 48 overs.
• Player of the Tournament: The award went to Haryana’s all-rounder, Sumit Kumar.

🌟 Key Performers from the 2023-24 Winning Squad

Haryana’s success was built on a balanced side with international experience and emerging all-round talent:

💥 The Matchup: Haryana vs. Delhi (Group Stage)

The group stage match on January 8, 2026 against Delhi is highly anticipated. It pits the reigning champions against a Delhi side boosted by the presence of a global superstar, Virat Kohli.

• Contrast in Styles: Haryana is a resilient, well-drilled team relying on the collective performance of their all-rounders (Sumit Kumar, Harshal Patel, Nishant Sindhu). Delhi will likely rely more on the star power of their international players to lead the charge.

When analyzing the Haryana team, two all-rounders—Nishant Sindhu and Rahul Tewatia—stand out for their potential to influence the 50-over format.

Here is a look at their roles and recent performance data:

🌟 Key Haryana All-Rounders: Nishant Sindhu and Rahul Tewatia

1. Nishant Sindhu: The Rising Star

At just 21, Nishant Sindhu is one of India’s most promising young all-rounders, known for his performances in the 2022 U-19 World Cup (where he scored a crucial half-century in the final). He is a key component of Haryana’s lower middle-order stability.

Key Stats (List A Career – 50-Over Matches):

Role in the Haryana Team:

• Batting: He generally bats in the lower middle order (No. 5 to 7), providing stability and acceleration when needed. His left-handed batting provides a crucial right-left combination.
• Bowling: He is the team’s frontline Slow Left-Arm Orthodox Spinner. He controls the middle overs, builds pressure, and is a proven wicket-taker in the powerplay or middle phase.
• Recent Form: In the last Vijay Hazare Trophy (2024-25), his consistent batting included a significant knock of 88 against Gujarat in the Quarter-final, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure.

2. Rahul Tewatia: The Finisher

Rahul Tewatia, often nicknamed ‘The Iceman’ for his exploits in the IPL, is the experienced T20 specialist who has successfully translated his hitting and tactical bowling into the 50-over format for Haryana.

Key Stats (List A Career – 50-Over Matches):

Role in the Haryana Team:

• Batting: Tewatia is the ultimate finisher for Haryana, batting at No. 6 or 7. His ability to clear the boundary makes him devastating in the final 10-15 overs. His high average is a testament to his effectiveness in closing out games.
  • Highlight: In the 2023-24 Vijay Hazare Trophy, he hit a crucial 59 off 37 balls against Odisha and followed it up with a spectacular 99 off 70 balls against Delhi in an earlier edition, showing his strength against the upcoming opponent.
• Bowling: As a Right-Arm Leg-Break bowler, he offers a vital point of difference from Haryana’s seamers and Sindhu’s left-arm spin. He is typically used in the middle overs to break partnerships.

Both players are crucial to Haryana’s chances. Sindhu provides control and stability, while Tewatia provides the late-innings fireworks with both bat and ball.

Delhi’s bowling attack will be crucial, particularly in trying to contain the aggressive Haryana all-rounders like Rahul Tewatia in the death overs.

The Delhi bowling unit for the Vijay Hazare Trophy relies on a mix of pace, experience, and promising youth. The two most likely spearheads of the attack are Navdeep Saini and Simarjeet Singh, with the experienced Pradeep Sangwan offering a left-arm option.

Here is a breakdown of Delhi’s key bowlers:

⚡ Navdeep Saini: The Pace Spearhead

Navdeep Saini is the most experienced international bowler currently representing Delhi and will be the leader of the pace attack.

• Role: Right-arm fast bowler. He is relied upon for new-ball wickets with his pace and control. He is also a crucial asset in the middle overs.
• Key Stats (List A Career):
  • Wickets: 99 wickets
  • Best VHT Performance: He was the leading wicket-taker for Delhi in the 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy with 16 dismissals in 8 matches, showcasing his effectiveness in this format.
• Recent Form: Saini has been focusing heavily on domestic cricket (Ranji Trophy and T20 events) to push for an India comeback. He has been bowling with good pace and bounce, making him a major threat on the sometimes pacy tracks in Bengaluru.

🌟 Simarjeet Singh: The Workhorse

Simarjeet Singh is a tall right-arm seamer who has been a consistent performer for Delhi over the past few seasons, often doing the grunt work in the middle overs.

• Role: Right-arm medium-fast bowler. He focuses on hitting the hard lengths and extracting bounce, crucial for keeping the scoring rate down.
• Significance: With the potential availability of Virat Kohli in the batting line-up, Simarjeet’s role in supporting Saini and bowling economical spells to choke the opposition will be paramount.

🧤 Pradeep Sangwan: The Experienced Left-Arm Angle

Pradeep Sangwan is a veteran on the domestic circuit and provides a valuable left-arm angle to the attack.

• Role: Left-arm medium-fast bowler. His ability to angle the ball across the right-handers and bring it back into the left-handers gives Delhi a tactical advantage, especially against someone like Haryana’s Nishant Sindhu.
• Experience: Sangwan, a former U-19 World Cup winner alongside Kohli, has played 60 List A matches, taking 99 wickets at an average of $26.86$. He offers control and variation that the younger bowlers lack.

The Spin Question

Delhi’s spin attack is usually spearheaded by younger spinners like Hrithik Shokeen (off-break) or Harsh Tyagi (left-arm orthodox), whose performance will be key on grounds where the pitch starts to slow down later in the tournament.

The core contest between Delhi’s Pace Trio (Saini, Simarjeet, Sangwan) and Haryana’s All-rounders (Tewatia, Sindhu) during the closing stages of the innings is expected to be a major highlight of their group match on January 8th.

While Delhi and Haryana are in the same group, Karnataka is one of the most successful teams in the tournament’s history and the reigning champion of the 2024-25 edition. Their bowling attack is characterized by pace, variety, and the ability to perform under pressure.

Here is a look at the key bowlers for the Karnataka cricket team:

🐯 Karnataka Cricket: Champions’ Pace and Spin

Karnataka’s fifth title win in the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy was built on their disciplined bowling performance throughout the knockout stage. Their attack offers a formidable combination of high-pace strike power and middle-over spin control.

1. Prasidh Krishna: The Express Pacer (International Level)

Prasidh Krishna is the spearhead of the attack, utilizing his height and skiddy pace to extract bounce and movement.

• Role: Right-arm fast-medium. The team’s main strike bowler, responsible for breaking partnerships and bowling crucial spells, including the death overs.
• Recent VHT Performance (2024-25 Final): He took 3 wickets in the final against Vidarbha, including the pivotal wicket of the tournament’s highest run-scorer, Karun Nair, at a time when the chase was gaining momentum.
• Key Strength: His ability to generate pace well over $140 \text{ km/h}$ and hit the deck hard makes him lethal, especially in the first powerplay and against set batsmen.

2. Vasuki Koushik: The List A Specialist

Koushik has been the most consistent performer for Karnataka in the List A format over the last few years and was a key factor in their latest title.

• Role: Right-arm medium. He is highly disciplined, focusing on immaculate line and length, which makes him difficult to score off, particularly in the middle overs.
• Tournament Performance (2024-25): He was the joint third-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 18 wickets in 10 matches (alongside Shreyas Gopal), proving his value. He also claimed 3 wickets in the 2024-25 Final.
• Significance: While Krishna provides the aggression, Koushik provides the crucial control and economy, building pressure that leads to wickets for the other bowlers.

3. Shreyas Gopal: The Leg-Spin All-Rounder

Karnataka often utilizes a leg-spinner as their primary spin option, and Shreyas Gopal provides crucial breakthroughs and batting depth.

• Role: Right-arm leg-break bowler. He is relied upon to operate in tandem with the pacers in the middle overs, offering flight and deception. He is also a handy lower-order batsman.
• Tournament Performance (2024-25): He took 18 wickets in the last edition, showcasing his wicket-taking ability and proving he is one of the premier spin options in domestic 50-over cricket.

4. Abhilash Shetty: The Emerging Left-Arm Seamer

Abhilash Shetty is a young left-arm medium pacer who adds a vital layer of variation to the attack.

• Role: Left-arm medium. His angle across the right-handers and movement back into the left-handers gives the captain a different dimension, which is critical in modern white-ball cricket.
• Impact: He had a brilliant performance in the 2024-25 Semi-final, taking 4/34 against the defending champions Haryana, which led to their middle-order collapse. He also took 3 wickets in the Final.

Karnataka’s balanced attack, featuring the pace of Krishna and the control of Koushik, complemented by the twin spin threat of Gopal and the left-arm angle of Shetty, makes them a major contender for the 2025-26 edition.

Karnataka’s success is a perfect blend of strong bowling and a batting lineup featuring both proven international stars and exceptional domestic performers.

Here is an overview of the key batsmen who will drive Karnataka’s campaign in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy:

🏏 Karnataka’s Batting Pillars

1. Mayank Agarwal (Captain)

• Role: Opener, Captain, and Anchor.
• Recent VHT Performance (2024-25): He was the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament, amassing 651 runs in 10 matches at a phenomenal average of $81.38$ (with four centuries). He led the team from the front, setting the pace for the innings.
• Significance: His aggressive yet controlled starts are vital. As captain, his leadership and batting form are essential for maintaining the team’s momentum.

2. Devdutt Padikkal

• Role: Opener/Top Order Batsman.
• Record in VHT: Padikkal has an incredible record in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, having registered seven consecutive fifty-plus scores across two seasons. He is known for racking up big scores, often converting them into centuries.
• Recent VHT Performance (2024-25 Knockouts): He was the Player of the Match in the semi-final against Haryana, scoring a crucial 86 runs in the chase and leading the batting effort in the final stages of the tournament. His consistency and ability to score quickly in the middle overs make him a massive threat.

3. Ravichandran Smaran

• Role: Middle-Order Attacker.
• Emergence: Smaran was one of the breakout stars of the 2024-25 season. He amassed 433 runs at an impressive average of $61.86$.
• Key Moment: He was the Player of the Match in the Final against Vidarbha, scoring a decisive 101 after the team was in trouble at $67/3$. This partnership with KL Shrijith turned the final in Karnataka’s favour. He represents the new, exciting talent in the Karnataka line-up.

4. Manish Pandey (The Veteran)

• Role: Experienced Middle-Order Finisher.
• Experience: Pandey provides immense experience and the ability to control the innings in the middle overs or accelerate rapidly at the end. He has been a stalwart for Karnataka for over a decade.
• Significance: With younger players like Smaran emerging, Pandey’s role is often one of a mentor and a reliable performer in tight knockout games.

Karnataka’s batting is deep, powerful, and features an excellent blend of youth (Smaran, Padikkal) and experience (Agarwal, Pandey), making them favorites to reach the final stages once again.

Mumbai is historically the most decorated domestic team in India, boasting four Vijay Hazare Trophy titles. Their batting lineup, even without all their international stars, is traditionally one of the strongest.

Here is an overview of the key batsmen likely to represent Mumbai, including the latest on Rohit Sharma’s expected participation.

🌉 Mumbai Batting Lineup: A Blend of Star Power and Domestic Grit

Mumbai’s batting unit for the 2025-26 edition is set to be star-studded, benefiting significantly from the BCCI’s directive for centrally contracted players to participate in domestic cricket.

🌟 The International Heavyweights (If Available)

1. Rohit Sharma (The Captain/Opener)

• Likely Role: Opener and primary leader. Rohit has reportedly communicated his readiness to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy following the conclusion of the ODI series against South Africa (Dec 6).
• Significance: His presence would be monumental. He brings immense experience, sets an aggressive tone at the top, and his leadership would be invaluable, especially alongside Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur. Similar to Kohli, his availability is expected to be limited to the initial group stage before the ODI series against New Zealand in January.

2. Ajinkya Rahane

• Role: Experienced Middle-Order Anchor.
• Significance: Though he is stepping down from captaincy in other formats, Rahane remains a vital cog in the 50-over side. He provides stability at the crucial No. 3 or 4 spot, capable of building long innings and steering the team through potential collapses.

3. Prithvi Shaw

• Role: Attacking Opener.
• Record: Shaw holds the record for the most runs scored in a single Vijay Hazare Trophy edition (827 runs in 2020-21). He is an explosive opener whose form directly dictates Mumbai’s scoring tempo.
• Form: A return to his dominant domestic form will be key, as he is often the catalyst for Mumbai’s massive totals.

💪 The Core Domestic Performers

4. Shivam Dube

• Role: Power-hitting All-rounder (Batting Focus).
• Significance: Dube has matured into a premier finisher in white-ball cricket. He bats aggressively in the lower middle order, often providing the late-innings acceleration that propels Mumbai past $300$. His left-handed power is hard to contain.

5. Sarfaraz Khan

• Role: Middle-Order Accumulator.
• Record: A consistent run-getter across all formats for Mumbai, Sarfaraz is known for his ability to convert starts into big scores. His aggressive yet classical style provides momentum in the middle overs.

6. Yashasvi Jaiswal

• Role: Top-order Left-Handed Talent (If released from national duty).
• Significance: If Jaiswal is made available, he forms a formidable left-right opening pair with Prithvi Shaw. He possesses the technique to play long innings and score quickly, making Mumbai’s opening attack extremely threatening.

🎯 Expected Top Order (If International Players Play)

The probable top six for Mumbai would be one of the most feared domestic lineups in the tournament:

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Prithvi Shaw
3. Yashasvi Jaiswal (or another domestic opener like Angkrish Raghuvanshi)
4. Ajinkya Rahane
5. Sarfaraz Khan
6. Shivam Dube

Mumbai’s key to success lies in these batsmen capitalizing on the batting-friendly surfaces often seen in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and allowing their international-standard bowlers (like Shardul Thakur and Tushar Deshpande) to defend massive totals.

📰 Conclusion: The Most Anticipated Vijay Hazare Trophy in Years

The upcoming 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, scheduled from December 24, 2025, to January 18, 2026, is shaping up to be one of the most significant and fiercely contested editions in the tournament’s history. The blend of high-stakes domestic competition with the participation of international superstars has created a captivating narrative.

🔑 Key Narratives for the 2025-26 Season

1. The Return of the Icons: The primary storyline is the confirmed participation of Virat Kohli for Delhi and the expected availability of Rohit Sharma for Mumbai. This move aligns with the BCCI’s strong directive for centrally contracted players to prioritize domestic cricket when available, significantly raising the tournament’s profile and providing invaluable experience to younger players.
2. Karnataka’s Title Defense: Five-time champions and reigning title-holders Karnataka (who won the 2024-25 title) remain the team to beat. Led by Mayank Agarwal and featuring a core of elite domestic talent like Devdutt Padikkal, Prasidh Krishna, and Shreyas Gopal, their disciplined approach makes them perennial favorites.
3. The Domestic Power Struggle: The tournament will test the depth of major state teams. Mumbai, with its loaded batting order, and the defending 2023-24 champions, Haryana, with their balanced all-rounders like Rahul Tewatia and Sumit Kumar, will pose the toughest challenges to the established order.
4. The Road to National Selection: The VHT is a proven pipeline for the national 50-over team. Exceptional performances here will place several players—both young breakout stars and established domestic veterans—firmly in the frame for future ODI squads, particularly as the selection policy now emphasizes domestic participation.

🏟️ Tournament Structure

The 38 participating teams are divided into four Elite Groups and a Plate Group, ensuring competitive fixtures throughout the league stage. The tournament’s intensity builds quickly, as only the top two teams from each Elite group will directly qualify for the Quarter-finals, leading to a dramatic knockout phase in the second week of January, culminating in the Final on January 18, 2026.

Cricket fans can look forward to a thrilling month of 50-over action, where state pride, the chance for an India call-up, and the quest for the coveted trophy will fuel intense rivalries and memorable performances.