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The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26, India’s main domestic one-day cricket tournament, will start on 24 December 2025 and end with the final on 18 January 2026. A total of 38 teams from across India will take part in the competition.
The tournament is very important for young players, as it helps them move closer to the national team. This season will also see the return of some big Indian stars to domestic cricket.
Big Players to Play in the Tournament
Fans will be excited to see Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in action. Both players are expected to play three matches each. Virat Kohli is likely to play all his matches in Bengaluru.
Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul will also feature in the tournament. Pant will lead Delhi, while Rahul will captain Karnataka. Their presence will help young players gain valuable experience.
Tournament Overview
- Tournament: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26
- Format: One-Day (50 overs)
- Teams: 38
- Start Date: 24 December 2025
- Final: 18 January 2026
- Organiser: BCCI
Matches will be played at many venues across India, with several games held each day during the group stage.
Format and Groups
The tournament is divided into Elite Groups and a Plate Group.
Elite Groups
- Elite Group A
- Elite Group B
- Elite Group C
- Elite Group D
A total of 32 teams will compete in the Elite Groups.
Plate Group
- 6 teams will play in this group
- The top team will move to the Elite category next season
Each team will play matches within its group. The best teams from the Elite Groups will qualify for the quarter-finals, followed by the semi-finals and the final.
Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 Schedule
- Group Stage: 24 December 2025 to early January 2026
- Quarter-finals: Mid-January 2026
- Semi-finals: Mid-January 2026
- Final: 18 January 2026
Many matches will be played at the same time on the opening day of the tournament.
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Also Read: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: When will Virat Kohli play and against which teams?
Teams Taking Part in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26
Some of the well-known teams in the tournament are:
- Mumbai
- Delhi
- Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
- Bengal
- Baroda
- Punjab
- Rajasthan
- Madhya Pradesh
- Hyderabad
- Uttar Pradesh
All major domestic teams will compete, making the tournament very competitive.
Squads and Key Players
Delhi
- Captain: Rishabh Pant
- Key Player: Virat Kohli (available for some matches)
Rajasthan
- Captain: Manav Suthar
- Vice-Captain: Aniket Choudhary
- Key Players: Deepak Hooda, Mahipal Lomror, Rahul Chahar, Khaleel Ahmed
Madhya Pradesh
- Captain: Venkatesh Iyer
- Strong team with good all-rounders and spinners
Mumbai
- Experienced domestic players with a focus on young batters and fast bowlers
Teams like Bengal, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu also have balanced squads and strong players.
Match Timings and Venues
Most matches will start around 9:00 AM IST and will be played at well-known grounds such as Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Rajkot, Bengaluru, Ranchi, and other cities.
Points System
- Win: 4 points
- Tie / No Result: 2 points
- Loss: 0 points
Net Run Rate (NRR) will be important for teams to qualify for the knockout stage.
Conclusion
The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 promises exciting cricket with a mix of senior stars and young talent. With top players returning to domestic cricket, fans can expect competitive matches and strong performances throughout the tournament.
Also Read: India Announces 15-Member Squad for T20 World Cup 2026 & New Zealand Tour
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