Punjab cricket team

Do or Die in Vijay Hazare: Punjab Fight Back as Knockout Dreams Hang by a Thread

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Hazare

Punjab locked horns with Maharashtra in Round 7 of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 on January 8, 2026, in what turned out to be a high-pressure group-stage finale. With knockout qualification on the line, every run and every wicket mattered.

⚡ Match Situation: Punjab Refuse to Back Down

Live updates show Punjab at 158/6 after 32 overs, still alive in a tense chase. After losing early wickets, Punjab looked in trouble, but Ramandeep Singh and Harpreet Brar held their nerves and stitched together a crucial partnership. Their calm approach against disciplined Maharashtra bowling has kept the contest wide open.

The match remains finely poised, with Punjab needing composure rather than aggression to cross the line on this decisive final group day.

📉 Early Trouble, Strong Recovery

Punjab’s innings didn’t start well. Maharashtra’s bowlers struck early, exposing Punjab’s fragile top order. However, Ramandeep’s resilience and Harpreet Brar’s smart strike rotation helped stabilize the innings. The momentum has slowly shifted, making this a true test of temperament.

📊 Recent Form: Confidence vs Concern

Punjab entered this match with confidence after a six-wicket win over Goa in Round 6. Chasing 212, they got key contributions from Harnoor Singh and Anmolpreet Singh, while the bowling unit—led by Mayank Markande (3 wickets) and supported by Arshdeep Singh, Krish Bhagat, and Sukhdeep Bajwa—kept Goa to 211.

Maharashtra, on the other hand, suffered a narrow six-run defeat against Chhattisgarh, exposing some batting weaknesses despite having a solid bowling attack.

🌟 Key Players Under the Spotlight

  • Shubman Gill remains Punjab’s batting pillar, though consistency has been a concern.

  • Ramandeep Singh & Harpreet Brar are proving decisive in the middle overs.

  • Arshdeep Singh leads Punjab’s pace attack with experience.

For Maharashtra, their bowlers have done the hard work, but their batters must counter Punjab’s spin threat, especially from Mayank Markande.

🏏 Tournament Context: A Day of Drama

While stars like Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant shine in other matches, the Punjab vs Maharashtra clash stands out for its sheer intensity. Mumbai’s narrow win over Himachal, powered by Iyer’s blazing 82 off 53, highlights how tight the race for semifinals has become.

With results today deciding the semifinalists, Punjab are fighting not just for a win—but for momentum and survival.

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From Injury Doubts to Dominance: Arshdeep Singh’s Perfect Domestic Comeback

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Arshdeep Singh

Arshdeep Singh Sends a Strong Message to Selectors With a Fiery Domestic Comeback

Arshdeep Singh, India’s trusted left-arm pacer, has once again forced the cricket world to take notice. His stunning return to domestic cricket in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 has not only grabbed headlines but also reignited discussions around his place in India’s ODI setup.

Vijay Hazare Trophy: A Spell That Turned Heads

On January 2, 2026, Arshdeep delivered a match-defining performance for Punjab against Sikkim in Jaipur. The left-arm quick ripped through the batting lineup with figures of 5/26 in just 8.4 overs, marking his third List-A five-wicket haul.

His spell was ruthless and well-timed. Arshdeep dismissed batters across the order — positions 2, 4, 6, 7, and 9 — reducing Sikkim to 52/8 and putting Punjab firmly in control. This performance lifted Punjab to second place in Elite Group C, with three wins from four matches.

More importantly, it signaled that Arshdeep is back, fit, and hungry.

Perfect Timing for an ODI Recall

The performance couldn’t have come at a better moment. India’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series starting January 11, 2026 is due for announcement. With Jasprit Bumrah likely to be rested, Arshdeep’s numbers speak for themselves.

He has 22 wickets in 14 ODIs, including a five-wicket haul, and an impressive 110 T20I wickets, making him one of India’s most reliable white-ball bowlers. Experts believe his left-arm angle and death-over control give him a clear edge over other contenders.

Recent International Journey: Ups and Downs

Arshdeep last featured in the Australia T20I series in November 2025, playing the Hobart decider. However, 2025 wasn’t without setbacks. A thumb injury ruled him out of the fourth Test against England, while selection debates followed despite his heroics in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he finished as joint highest wicket-taker.

Still, his consistency in pressure situations has never been in doubt.

Life Beyond Cricket

Off the field, Arshdeep’s profile continues to rise. In late 2025, he explored luxury properties at GB Realty’s OPUS ONE and added a G-Wagon to his collection. He also launched a YouTube channel, opening up about his journey after being dropped — a move that resonated with fans.

Punjab Kings retaining him further reflects the faith franchises continue to place in him.

What Lies Ahead

With upcoming Vijay Hazare matches against Sikkim (Jan 3) and Goa (Jan 6), alongside Shubman Gill, Arshdeep has a golden opportunity to seal his ODI comeback.

At just 26, armed with deadly yorkers and calmness under pressure, Arshdeep Singh is proving that form never stays silent for long.

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35 Balls, One Storm, Indian Cricket Has a New Speed King Anmolpreet Singh

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Anmolpreet Singh 

Anmolpreet Singh has just rewritten Indian cricket history.

The Punjab batter smashed the fastest List A century by an Indian, blasting a jaw-dropping 100 in just 35 balls against Arunachal Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, breaking Yusuf Pathan’s 14-year-old record — and doing it in style.

🚀 A Record That Shocked Everyone

Walking in at No. 3 after captain Abhishek Sharma’s early dismissal, Anmolpreet didn’t take time to settle. He attacked from ball one, turning the match into a one-man show.

  • 115 off 45 balls*

  • 12 fours & 9 sixes

  • 31 runs in one over off spinner Techi Neri

Punjab chased 165 runs in just 12.5 overs, winning by 9 wickets, with Prabhsimran Singh supporting with 35 off 25 balls.

This wasn’t just fast — it was ruthless.

🔥 Bigger Than Yusuf Pathan’s Record

Anmolpreet’s century is now:

  • 🇮🇳 Fastest List A hundred by an Indian

  • 🌍 Third-fastest List A century in history

Only Jake Fraser-McGurk (29 balls) and AB de Villiers (31 balls) stand ahead of him globally.

Elite company. Elite impact.

📈 From U19 Star to Comeback Statement

Born on March 28, 1998, in Patiala, Anmolpreet made his mark early:

  • India U19 World Cup (2015)

  • IPL stints with Mumbai Indians and Sunrisers Hyderabad

  • Career-best 267 in Ranji Trophy (2017)

Despite going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, this innings sends a loud message:
👉 Ignore him at your own risk.

🔄 Consistency Backing the Explosion

This knock wasn’t a fluke.

In the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy, Anmolpreet has delivered:

  • 48 vs Maharashtra

  • 60 vs Puducherry

  • 46 vs Hyderabad

He’s proving his top-order dominance match after match.

Anmolpreet Singh didn’t just score a century —
he announced his return, reignited his T20 prospects, and reminded Indian cricket how dangerous he can be.

Records fall. Talent rises. Speed wins.

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