The Vijay Hazare Trophy delivered another day of high-quality domestic cricket as Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad recorded commanding victories, headlined by a captain’s innings from Shreyas Iyer and a lethal bowling spell from Mohammed Siraj. Across multiple venues, batters piled on runs, bowlers struck at crucial moments, and several teams made strong statements in their respective group campaigns, underlining why the Vijay Hazare Trophy remains one of India’s most competitive and closely followed one-day tournaments.
Shreyas Iyer Leads from the Front as Mumbai Edge Past Himachal Pradesh
Mumbai showcased their resilience and depth under pressure as stand-in captain Shreyas Iyer produced a superb knock to guide his team to a thrilling seven-run win over Himachal Pradesh in a shortened contest at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground in Jaipur. The match, reduced to 33 overs per side due to a delayed start caused by dense fog, turned into a high-scoring spectacle with momentum swinging repeatedly before Mumbai held their nerve in the final moments.
Asked to bat first, Mumbai found themselves in early trouble after losing both openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan, cheaply. With the score reading 55 for two, the responsibility fell squarely on Shreyas Iyer, who was captaining the side in an important fixture following Shardul Thakur’s injury-enforced exit from the remainder of the Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign.
Iyer walked in during a challenging phase but immediately imposed himself on the contest. Showing composure and intent in equal measure, he anchored the innings while ensuring the run rate never dipped. He found an ideal partner in young Musheer Khan, and the duo stitched together a vital 82-run stand off just 54 deliveries. Their partnership not only steadied Mumbai after the early losses but also laid the platform for an aggressive finish.
Musheer Khan played with maturity beyond his years, striking a fluent 73 from 51 balls before falling while attempting to accelerate further. By then, Mumbai were well positioned, and Iyer shifted gears seamlessly. The Mumbai skipper then combined with Suryakumar Yadav for a rapid 65-run partnership off only 39 balls, pushing the total beyond the 200-run mark despite the reduced overs.
Shreyas Iyer’s innings was a blend of timing, placement and controlled aggression. He struck 82 runs from just 53 balls, laced with 10 boundaries and three towering sixes. Unfortunately for Mumbai and for Iyer himself, he fell in the 26th over, agonisingly close to a well-deserved century. Nonetheless, his knock proved decisive as Mumbai closed their innings on a formidable 299 for nine in 33 overs.
Shivam Dube’s All-Round Brilliance Seals the Match
Chasing a stiff target of 300 in a curtailed game, Himachal Pradesh adopted an aggressive approach from the outset but suffered an immediate setback when both openers were dismissed without troubling the scorers. Despite the early collapse, the chase was revived through a series of impactful middle-order contributions.
Pukhraj Mann played a stabilising role, scoring a brisk 64 off 41 balls, while wicketkeeper Ankush Bains added momentum with a well-paced 53 from 39 deliveries. The pressure on Mumbai intensified when Mayank Dagar unleashed a counterattack, hammering 64 runs that included 11 boundaries. Amanpreet Singh further swung the pendulum with a blistering 42 off just 21 balls, striking at an impressive rate and keeping Himachal firmly in contention.
Lower-order contributions from Amit Kumar and others ensured the match went deep, setting up a tense finish. With 10 runs required from the final over, all-rounder Shivam Dube stepped up under pressure. Displaying remarkable composure, Dube claimed the final two wickets in the last over, bowling Himachal Pradesh out for 292 with just two balls remaining.
Dube finished with outstanding figures of four wickets for 68 runs, emerging as Mumbai’s standout bowler on the day. He received support from Sairaj Patil, who took two wickets, while Tushar Deshpande, Musheer Khan and Shams Mulani chipped in with one wicket each. The narrow victory highlighted Mumbai’s fighting spirit and strengthened their position in the Vijay Hazare Trophy standings.
Hyderabad Register First Win with Dominant Performance Against Bengal
Elsewhere, Hyderabad finally opened their account in the Vijay Hazare Trophy with a commanding 107-run victory over Bengal, delivering a performance that underlined their potential in the competition. The match belonged to Aman Rao with the bat and Mohammed Siraj with the ball, as Hyderabad outplayed their opponents in all departments.
Batting first, Hyderabad posted a massive total, built around a sensational double century from Aman Rao. His innings was a masterclass in endurance and controlled aggression, as he dismantled the Bengal bowling attack and anchored Hyderabad’s innings from start to finish. Supported by useful contributions from the middle order, Hyderabad’s imposing total put Bengal on the back foot from the outset.
In reply, Bengal fought valiantly, led by a courageous century from Shahbaz Ahmed. However, the task proved too steep against a disciplined Hyderabad bowling unit. Mohammed Siraj, fresh from international duties, delivered a fiery spell, claiming four crucial wickets and breaking the backbone of Bengal’s chase. His pace, accuracy and ability to strike at key moments ensured Bengal never truly threatened the target.
The comprehensive victory not only gave Hyderabad their first win of the season but also boosted their net run rate significantly, an important factor as the Vijay Hazare Trophy group stages progress.
Delhi Cruise Past Railways with Explosive Batting Display
In Bengaluru, Delhi produced an emphatic six-wicket win over Railways, showcasing their batting depth and firepower. Chasing a competitive total in a high-scoring encounter, Delhi’s response was led by a stunning innings from Priyansh Arya.
Arya played with fearless intent, smashing 80 runs off just 41 balls. His innings set the tone early in the chase, putting Railways’ bowlers under immediate pressure. Delhi’s experienced campaigners then ensured there were no hiccups, with Rishabh Pant and Nitish Rana contributing brisk cameos to keep the run chase firmly on track.
The match highlighted Delhi’s balanced squad, blending youthful aggression with seasoned experience. Their convincing win added to the excitement of an action-packed day in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and reinforced their status as strong contenders this season.
Punjab, Karnataka and Gujarat Deliver Statement Wins
The day also saw several other teams deliver dominant performances across different venues, further intensifying the competition.
Punjab overcame Goa with relative ease, successfully chasing down a target of 212 runs despite star batter Shubman Gill continuing his lean run of form. The standout performer for Punjab was Harnoor Singh, who produced a composed and unbeaten 94. Coming in at number five, Harnoor formed a match-defining 131-run partnership with Naman Dhir, who scored an impressive 68. Their partnership turned the game decisively in Punjab’s favour, ensuring a comfortable win.
Karnataka, meanwhile, put on a clinical display against Rajasthan. Batting first, Karnataka piled on 324 runs for seven wickets, driven by a commanding century from Mayank Agarwal and a fluent 91 from Devdutt Padikkal. The pair laid a solid foundation, allowing Karnataka’s middle order to capitalise fully. In response, Rajasthan crumbled under pressure, bowled out for just 150 runs. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna was the destroyer-in-chief, claiming five wickets and dismantling the opposition batting lineup with pace and precision.
Gujarat delivered arguably the most dominant performance of the day, crushing Odisha by a massive margin of 233 runs. Gujarat’s innings was anchored by Axar Patel, who scored a vital 73, while Urvil Patel and Ahaan Poddar both contributed half-centuries. Posting 333 for six wickets, Gujarat set an imposing target that proved far beyond Odisha’s reach. The bowlers then took charge, with C.T. Gaja producing a remarkable six-wicket haul to complete a one-sided contest.
Kerala’s Batting Fireworks Light Up the Tournament
Kerala also made headlines with a stunning chase against Pondicherry, demonstrating their ability to chase big totals under pressure. Chasing 248 runs, Kerala’s innings was defined by an extraordinary performance from Vishnu Vinod, who smashed a breathtaking 162. His innings was a blend of power and finesse, dismantling the Pondicherry bowling attack and effectively sealing the match on his own.
Baba Aparajith played a crucial supporting role, remaining unbeaten on 63 and ensuring there were no late surprises. The win was particularly noteworthy given the early dismissal of Sanju Samson, Kerala’s captain and key batter. Vinod’s knock reaffirmed Kerala’s batting depth and their credentials as serious contenders in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
A Thrilling Day in the Vijay Hazare Trophy
The latest round of matches encapsulated everything that makes the Vijay Hazare Trophy a premier domestic tournament. From Shreyas Iyer’s authoritative leadership and match-winning knock for Mumbai to Mohammed Siraj’s devastating spell for Hyderabad, the day was packed with individual brilliance and collective team performances.
As the group stage continues, teams are beginning to separate themselves through consistency and net run rate, making every match increasingly crucial. With established stars and emerging talents sharing the spotlight, the Vijay Hazare Trophy continues to serve as a vital platform for India’s one-day specialists and a showcase of the country’s deep cricketing talent.
With several rounds still to be played, fans can expect more high-scoring encounters, dramatic finishes and standout performances as the race for the knockout stages intensifies.
