vijay hazare trophy 2025

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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LSG’s Quiet Bet for IPL 2026: Why Arshin Kulkarni Could Be the Next Breakout Indian All-Rounder

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Arshin Kulkarni

“Not hype. Not headlines. Just pure potential.”

At just 20 years old, Arshin Kulkarni is already earning strong trust from an IPL franchise. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have retained the young pace-bowling all-rounder for IPL 2026 at ₹30 lakh, a clear signal that the team sees something special beyond numbers.

Born on February 15, 2005, the Maharashtra cricketer is a right-handed batter and right-arm medium pacer, steadily building his reputation through consistent domestic performances. Even with limited IPL exposure so far, his journey is moving in the right direction.

🏏 IPL Retention: Faith Over Numbers

Arshin featured in two matches during IPL 2024, scoring 9 runs (9 off 7 vs KKR, 0 off 1 vs MI) and didn’t pick up a wicket. On paper, the stats look modest. But LSG’s decision to retain him ahead of the IPL 2026 auction tells a deeper story.

The franchise sees Kulkarni as a long-term investment, especially for lower-middle order batting depth and seam-bowling flexibility. Being retained alongside players like Rishabh Pant and Ayush Badoni highlights LSG’s growing focus on young Indian talent.

🔥 Domestic Cricket: Where He Truly Shines

Kulkarni’s real strength lies in domestic cricket.

  • In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he averaged over 95, with a strike rate above 80

    • 107 vs Punjab

    • 90 vs Vidarbha

  • In the Ranji Trophy, he impressed with both bat and ball, scoring 87 vs Jammu & Kashmir and taking key wickets against Services.

  • His standout moment came in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26, where he smashed an unbeaten 89 off 54 balls vs Hyderabad, guiding Maharashtra to a memorable chase.

Recent SMAT contributions included scores of 14 vs Goa, 23 vs Uttar Pradesh, and economical bowling spells like 0/18.

📊 Career Snapshot

  • T20s: 324 runs in 14 matches, 145.29 strike rate, 10 wickets

  • List A: 197 runs at 98.5 average, highest score 107

🌟 Earlier Achievements

In the Maharashtra Premier League 2025, Kulkarni starred for Eagle Nashik Titans, scoring 77 in the final to win their maiden title and earlier producing a stunning 117 with 4 wickets in a single match. At the U19 World Cup, he hit a century against the USA and contributed with the ball vs Nepal.

🚀 What’s Next?

With clean hitting, calm temperament, and controlled seam bowling, Arshin Kulkarni looks ready for an IPL breakthrough. If his domestic form continues, a bigger IPL role — and even India A chances — may not be far away.

Sometimes, the biggest stories begin quietly.

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From “Forgotten” to Fearless: Sarfaraz Khan Is Knocking on Team India’s White-Ball Door

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Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan is no longer knocking quietly — he’s banging the door down.

On December 30, 2025, the Mumbai batter delivered one of the most explosive knocks of Indian domestic cricket. Playing against Goa in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Sarfaraz smashed a jaw-dropping 157 runs off just 75 balls, studded with 9 fours and 14 sixes. His 56-ball century powered Mumbai to a massive 444 runs, sending a clear message to Indian selectors ahead of the upcoming India vs New Zealand ODI series.

This wasn’t just an innings — it was a statement.

🚀 A Career Reborn in December 2025

Just days before this blitz, Sarfaraz scripted another comeback moment. On December 16, he was picked by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the IPL 2026 mini-auction for his base price of ₹75 lakh, ending a two-season IPL absence.

What made it special?
Hours before the auction, Sarfaraz hammered a fiery 73 off 22 balls in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Later, he called the IPL return a “new life” on Instagram — and the words didn’t feel exaggerated.

His T20 numbers back it up:

  • 329 runs in 7 matches

  • Strike rate: 203.08

  • Average: 65.80

Add to that his steady Ranji Trophy form, and the resurgence feels real, not lucky.

🏏 Beyond the “Test Specialist” Tag

After his international Test debut in 2023–24, Sarfaraz was often boxed as a red-ball specialist. But since November 2024, he hasn’t played another Test — and instead of fading, he reinvented himself.

He worked on fitness, shed weight, and transformed into a fearless middle-order hitter. His Vijay Hazare campaign began with a solid 55 vs Uttarakhand, before exploding into the 157-run carnage that turned heads nationwide.

With the 2027 World Cup in sight, Sarfaraz is now firmly pushing for a white-ball comeback.

⚠️ The Challenge Ahead

At CSK, competition is brutal. With stars like Ruturaj Gaikwad and new signings crowding the top order, a regular XI spot won’t be easy. But Sarfaraz’s strike rate, consistency, and hunger make him a dangerous uncapped option.

As 2025 comes to a close, one thing is clear:

👉 Sarfaraz Khan is no longer chasing relevance — he’s demanding it.

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“From Odisha to History Books” — Swastik Samal’s 212 That Shook Indian Domestic Cricket

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Swastik Samal

Swastik Samal, the young Odisha cricketer born on July 27, 2000, etched his name into Indian cricket history with a sensational double century in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. On December 24, 2025, Samal became the first-ever batter from Odisha to score a List A double hundred, lighting up the match against Saurashtra in Alur.

🔥 A Knock for the Ages

Batting with confidence and fearlessness, Samal smashed 212 runs off just 169 balls, an innings packed with 21 boundaries and 8 towering sixes. His explosive knock powered Odisha to a massive 345/6 in 50 overs.

This innings now stands as the fifth-highest individual score in Vijay Hazare Trophy history, overtaking Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 203 (2019) and equalling Sanju Samson’s 212 for Kerala (2019).

Even more impressive was the 261-run partnership with skipper Biplab Samantaray, who also scored a century, helping Odisha recover strongly after early wickets.

📈 Rising Star of Odisha Cricket

Swastik Samal made his T20 debut for Odisha in the 2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and has steadily grown into a reliable performer across formats. Earlier in the season, he scored his maiden List A century and followed it up with consistent big knocks, including 169 against Nagaland in November 2025.

He also holds the record for the fastest T20 fifty (20 balls) in local tournaments, highlighting his explosive batting ability.

💰 IPL 2026 Buzz Gets Louder

Samal’s form hasn’t gone unnoticed. On December 15, 2025, the BCCI included him in the IPL 2026 mini-auction list with a base price of ₹30 lakh, alongside fellow Odisha player Rajesh Mohanti. His batting power and all-round potential have already sparked interest among IPL franchises.

🇮🇳 One Knock Away from Bigger Dreams?

With this historic double century, Swastik Samal has officially entered the national conversation. As he continues his strong domestic run, selectors and fans alike will be watching closely.

👉 Is this the knock that changes everything?

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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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From Mortgaged Land to Record Books: Sakibul Gani’s 32-Ball Storm Shakes Indian Cricket

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Sakibul Gani

Indian domestic cricket witnessed something unreal on December 23, 2025. Bihar captain Sakibul Gani didn’t just score runs — he rewrote history.

During the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26, Gani smashed the fastest List A century by an Indian, reaching 100 in just 32 balls against Arunachal Pradesh at the JSCA Oval, Ranchi. What followed was pure destruction.

🔥 A Century Faster Than Everyone

Walking in at No. 5, Gani played an innings that stunned players, fans, and experts alike. He remained unbeaten on 128 off just 40 balls, hammering
10 fours and 12 sixes at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 320.

With this knock, he broke:

  • Anmolpreet Singh’s 35-ball hundred (2024)

  • Ishan Kishan’s 33-ball ton in the same tournament

Even Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s brilliant 190 earlier in the innings was overshadowed by Gani’s late fireworks.

🚀 Bihar Creates World Record

Powered by Gani’s assault, Bihar posted 574/6 in 50 overs — the highest total ever in List A cricket.
The team smashed 38 sixes at a run rate of 11.48.

Wicketkeeper Ayush Loharuka added fuel to the fire with a blazing 116 off 56 balls, making it a complete team domination.

🌱 The Story Behind the Star

Born on September 2, 1999, in Motihari, Bihar, Sakibul Gani’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. His family once mortgaged land to support his cricket dream.

He announced himself earlier with a triple century in first-class cricket in 2022 and quietly built experience across Under-23, Mushtaq Ali, and Vijay Hazare tournaments.
Before this match, his List A strike rate was just 71.95 — making this explosion a career-defining transformation.

🏏 What This Means

This historic knock on the opening day of the Vijay Hazare Trophy has:

  • Put Bihar cricket in the national spotlight

  • Reignited IPL hopes for Sakibul Gani

  • Proven that raw talent can rise from any corner of India

Indian cricket has found a new headline-maker — and his name is Sakibul Gani.

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Rohit Returns, Mumbai Roars! — Vijay Hazare Trophy Clash Lights Up Jaipur

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Vijay Hazare

“When Legends Return, History Listens.”

Cricket fans witnessed a special moment on December 24, 2025, as Mumbai faced Sikkim in the Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite Group C match at the iconic Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. The spotlight was firmly on Rohit Sharma, who made his return to the domestic 50-over format after a long seven-year gap, igniting excitement across the cricketing world.

Sikkim won the toss and chose to bat first, setting the stage for an intriguing contest against Mumbai’s star-studded lineup.

⚡ Match Setup: Big Names, Bigger Expectations

Mumbai took the field under the captaincy of Shardul Thakur, featuring a powerful mix of experience and youth. Alongside Rohit Sharma, the lineup included Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and wicketkeeper Hardik Tamore.

Sikkim, led by Lee Yong Lepcha, entered the match determined to challenge the domestic giants. With Ashish Thapa behind the stumps and bowlers like Ankur Malik, Sikkim aimed to make an early statement in their group-stage campaign.

This match also marked the beginning of Mumbai’s journey in Elite Group C, where they face tough competition from teams like Uttarakhand and Punjab, with fixtures running until January 8, 2026.

🧢 Playing XIs at a Glance

Mumbai XI:
Rohit Sharma
Angkrish Raghuvanshi
Sarfaraz Khan
Siddhesh Lad
Musheer Khan
Hardik Tamore (WK)
Shams Mulani
Tanush Kotian
Shardul Thakur (C)
Tushar Deshpande
Sylvester D’Souza
Sikkim XI:
Lee Yong Lepcha (C)
Ashish Thapa (WK)
Amit Rajera
Robin Limboo
Gurinder Singh
Kranthi Kumar
Palzor Tamang
Ankur Malik
K Sai Satwik
Md Saptulla
Abhishek Kr Shah

🎯 Early Action: Mumbai Strikes Back

Sikkim began cautiously, reaching 14/1 after three overs, before moving to 56/2 as Mumbai’s bowlers tightened their grip. K Sai Satwik showed resilience, scoring 34 off 55 balls with four boundaries, before being dismissed by Tanush Kotian.

Mumbai’s pace attack made early inroads when Tushar Deshpande removed Amit Rajera for a duck, caught cleanly by Hardik Tamore.

With the ball doing the damage, anticipation grew around Rohit Sharma’s opening role, as fans eagerly awaited his approach to anchoring the chase.

🏏 Bigger Picture: Mumbai’s Title Push

Rohit Sharma is set to play Mumbai’s first two matches — against Sikkim (Dec 24) and Uttarakhand (Dec 26) — following BCCI guidelines for centrally contracted players. Mumbai’s campaign heavily depends on senior players like Sharma and Thakur, whose recent wicket-taking form has been impressive.

As the match unfolded, Mumbai’s bowlers remained in control, reinforcing their intent to dominate the tournament once again.

📊 For live scores and full updates, fans can follow Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo.

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