The Vijay Hazare Trophy is one of the most important cricket tournaments in India. It is a domestic one-day competition run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The tournament is named after the great Indian cricketer Vijay Hazare, who was famous for his excellent batting. Every year, state teams from all over India compete to win this trophy. It provides a platform for young and talented cricketers to showcase their skills. Many top Indian players, like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, played in this tournament. They did this before becoming international stars. It is a big stage for India’s future cricket heroes.
Vijay Hazare Trophy – Complete Guide to India’s Domestic One-Day Cricket Tournament
It is a List A cricket tournament. It follows the 50-over format, just like the ICC Cricket World Cup. The BCCI organizes this tournament annually, typically between October and February. State cricket associations send their best players to compete. The tournament was first played in 2002–03. Since then, it has grown into one of the biggest domestic tournaments in India. Teams like Mumbai, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat have been very strong in this competition. It is watched by millions of cricket fans across India.
The format is simple and exciting. Teams play league-stage matches in groups first. Then the best teams move to the knockout stage. This includes the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final. The matches are played at neutral venues across India to give every team a fair chance. It is a perfect platform for players to prove themselves before being picked for the Indian national team.
2025 Schedule
| Stage | Date | Venue / Location | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|
| League Stage (Round 1) | December 24, 2025 | Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Ranchi | All 38 Teams |
| League Stage (Round 2) | December 26, 2025 | Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Ranchi | All Elite & Plate Teams |
| League Stage (Round 3) | December 29, 2025 | Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Ranchi | All Elite & Plate Teams |
| League Stage (Round 4) | December 31, 2025 | Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Ranchi | All Elite & Plate Teams |
| League Stage (Round 5) | January 3, 2026 | Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Ranchi | All Elite & Plate Teams |
| League Stage (Round 6) | January 6, 2026 | Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Ranchi | All Elite & Plate Teams |
| League Stage (Round 7) | January 8, 2026 | Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Ranchi | All Elite Teams |
| Plate Group Final | January 8, 2026 | JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi | Bihar vs Manipur |
| Quarterfinals | January 12–13, 2026 | BCCI COE Ground, Bengaluru | Top 8 Elite Teams |
| Semi-Finals | January 15–16, 2026 | CoE 1, Bengaluru | Top 4 Teams |
| Grand Final | January 18, 2026 | CoE 1, Bengaluru | Vidarbha vs Saurashtra |
History and Origin in Indian Cricket
It was first played in the 2002–03 cricket season. The BCCI created this tournament to give Indian domestic players a proper 50-over competition. Before this trophy, India had the Deodhar Trophy as its main one-day domestic event. But the BCCI wanted a bigger and better tournament that included all state teams.
The trophy is named after Vijay Samuel Hazare, who played for India from 1946 to 1953. He was born on March 11, 1915, in Sangli, Maharashtra. Hazare was a brilliant batsman and medium-pace bowler. He scored 2,192 runs in Test cricket at an average of 47.65. He was one of the first Indian cricketers to score a Test century. His most famous innings was 164* against England in 1951-52. The BCCI named this tournament after him to honor his great legacy.
Over the years, It has produced many great players. Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and VVS Laxman all played in domestic cricket. Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad are stars now. They have come up through tournaments like this. It has been a key part of India’s cricket growth story.
Format and Tournament Structure
It follows a structured multi-stage format. Each match is a 50-over-per-side game. This is the same format used in international ODI cricket. The tournament is split into two main sections: the Elite Group and the Plate Group.
The Elite Group has 32 teams. These teams are divided into four groups, called Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D. Each group has eight teams. Every team in a group plays against every other team in that group once. This is called a round-robin format. After all league matches, the top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals. From there, the tournament becomes a knockout competition — one loss and you are out.
The Plate Group has six smaller or newer state teams. They also play a round-robin league. The winner of the Plate Group earns promotion to the Elite Group for the next season. This system gives every state a chance to grow and improve.
| Stage | Format | Number of Teams | Matches Per Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Group – League Stage | Round Robin (within group) | 32 (4 groups × 8 teams) | 7 matches |
| Plate Group – League Stage | Round Robin | 6 teams | 5 matches |
| Quarterfinals | Knockout (single match) | 8 teams | 1 match |
| Semi-Finals | Knockout (single match) | 4 teams | 1 match |
| Final | Single Final Match | 2 teams | 1 match |
Teams and State Associations
| Team | State / Association | Group (2025–26) | Notable Players |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | Mumbai Cricket Association | Group C | Rohit Sharma, Shardul Thakur |
| Delhi | Delhi & District Cricket Association | Group D | Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli |
| Karnataka | Karnataka State Cricket Association | Group A | KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil Nadu Cricket Association | Group A | Narayan Jagadeesan, Sai Sudharsan |
| Rajasthan | Rajasthan Cricket Association | Group A | Deepak Hooda, Rahul Chahar |
| Gujarat | Gujarat Cricket Association | Group D | Harshal Patel, Ravi Bishnoi |
| Bengal | Cricket Association of Bengal | Group B | Mohammed Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran |
| Baroda | Baroda Cricket Association | Group B | Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya |
| Uttar Pradesh | UP Cricket Association | Group B | Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel |
| Saurashtra | Saurashtra Cricket Association | Group D | Cheteshwar Pujara, Jaydev Unadkat |
| Maharashtra | Maharashtra Cricket Association | Group C | Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prithvi Shaw |
| Punjab | Punjab Cricket Association | Group C | Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh |
| Haryana | Haryana Cricket Association | Group D | Rahul Tewatia, Yudhvir Singh |
| Kerala | Kerala Cricket Association | Group A | Sanju Samson, Rohan Kunnummal |
| Jharkhand | Jharkhand State Cricket Association | Group A | Ishan Kishan, Virat Singh |
| Vidarbha | Vidarbha Cricket Association | Group B | Akshay Wadkar, Yash Thakur |
Group System (Elite and Plate)
| Group | Teams (2025–26 Season) |
|---|---|
| Group A (Elite) | Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Kerala, Tripura, Puducherry |
| Group B (Elite) | Bengal, Baroda, Uttar Pradesh, Hyderabad, Vidarbha, Assam, Jammu & Kashmir, Chandigarh |
| Group C (Elite) | Mumbai, Punjab, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Chhattisgarh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand |
| Group D (Elite) | Delhi, Haryana, Saurashtra, Gujarat, Services, Odisha, Railways, Andhra Pradesh |
| Plate Group | Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland |
Schedule 2025–26 and Key Match Dates
| Round | Date | City / Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 – League Stage | December 24, 2025 | Ahmedabad / Rajkot / Jaipur / Bengaluru / Ranchi |
| Round 2 – League Stage | December 26, 2025 | Ahmedabad / Rajkot / Jaipur / Bengaluru / Ranchi |
| Round 3 – League Stage | December 29, 2025 | Ahmedabad / Rajkot / Jaipur / Bengaluru / Ranchi |
| Round 4 – League Stage | December 31, 2025 | Ahmedabad / Rajkot / Jaipur / Bengaluru / Ranchi |
| Round 5 – League Stage | January 3, 2026 | Ahmedabad / Rajkot / Jaipur / Bengaluru / Ranchi |
| Round 6 – League Stage | January 6, 2026 | Ahmedabad / Rajkot / Jaipur / Bengaluru / Ranchi |
| Round 7 – League Stage + Plate Final | January 8, 2026 | Ahmedabad / Rajkot / Jaipur / Bengaluru / Ranchi |
| Quarterfinal 1 & 2 | January 12, 2026 | BCCI COE Ground 1 & 2, Bengaluru |
| Quarterfinal 3 & 4 | January 13, 2026 | BCCI COE Ground 1 & 2, Bengaluru |
| Semi-Final 1 | January 15, 2026 | CoE 1, Bengaluru |
| Semi-Final 2 | January 16, 2026 | CoE 1, Bengaluru |
| Grand Final | January 18, 2026 | CoE 1, Bengaluru |
Points Table and Group Standings
Below is the final points table for the Elite Group after the 2025–26 league stage. Teams are ranked by total points and then by net run rate (NRR).
| Team | Group | Played | Won | Lost | Pts | NRR | Qualified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | A | 7 | 6 | 1 | 24 | +1.89 | Yes (1st) |
| Kerala | A | 7 | 5 | 2 | 20 | +1.12 | Yes (2nd) |
| Madhya Pradesh | A | 7 | 5 | 2 | 20 | +0.87 | No |
| Tamil Nadu | A | 7 | 4 | 3 | 16 | +0.44 | No |
| Uttar Pradesh | B | 7 | 6 | 1 | 24 | +2.11 | Yes (1st) |
| Vidarbha | B | 7 | 5 | 2 | 20 | +1.54 | Yes (2nd) |
| Punjab | C | 7 | 5 | 2 | 20 | +1.77 | Yes (1st) |
| Mumbai | C | 7 | 4 | 3 | 16 | +0.95 | Yes (2nd) |
| Delhi | D | 7 | 6 | 1 | 24 | +2.33 | Yes (1st) |
| Saurashtra | D | 7 | 5 | 2 | 20 | +1.21 | Yes (2nd) |
Vijay Hazare Trophy Live Score and Match Scorecard Updates
Fans love following the Vijay Hazare Trophy live. During the 2025–26 season, you could get live scores on several platforms. The BCCI official website provides ball-by-ball updates. Apps like Cricbuzz, also showed live scorecard updates for every match.
Live scores tell you about current batters, wickets fallen, overs bowled, and run rates. Scorecards after the match show full details of every player’s runs, balls faced, fours, sixes, and strike rate. Bowlers’ wickets, economy rate, and number of overs are also shown. Fans in India can track every single delivery of online.
| Platform | Type | Features Available |
|---|---|---|
| BCCI Official Website | Web | Live scores, match updates, squads |
| Cricbuzz App / Website | Web & Mobile | Ball-by-ball commentary, live scorecard, match updates |
| ESPNcricinfo | Web & Mobile | Detailed scorecards, player statistics, match history |
| JioCinema App | Mobile / Smart TV | Live streaming with real-time score updates |
| Jio Hotstar App | Mobile / Smart TV | Live telecast and scorecard updates |
Live Streaming and Live Telecast Channels
In the 2025–26 season, It was available on Star Sports Network for TV telecast. Fans could watch matches live on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 Hindi. For online streaming, the Jio Hotstar app and website carried live matches. This allowed fans from all over India and the world to watch the Vijay Hazare Trophy on their phones, tablets, and computers.
The BCCI also uploaded match highlights on their YouTube channel. This is great for fans who could not watch the live games. You can catch all the big moments big sixes, hat-tricks, and brilliant run-outs — on YouTube after the match ends.
| Channel / Platform | Type | Coverage | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Sports 1 | TV (Linear) | Selected matches, Knockouts | Subscription / Cable |
| Star Sports 1 Hindi | TV (Linear) | Hindi commentary matches | Subscription / Cable |
| Jio Hotstar App | OTT / Mobile | Live streaming, all key matches | Paid Subscription |
| JioCinema | OTT / Mobile | Live and on-demand matches | Free / Premium |
| BCCI YouTube Channel | Online Video | Highlights and replays | Free |
| ESPNcricinfo | Web | Text commentary, no video stream | Free |
Squads and Top Players to Watch
| Team | Captain | Key Batters | Key Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | Shardul Thakur | Rohit Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan | Tushar Deshpande, Shardul Thakur |
| Delhi | Rishabh Pant | Virat Kohli, Priyansh Arya | Navdeep Saini, Ishant Sharma |
| Karnataka | Mayank Agarwal | KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal | Prasidh Krishna, Vyshak |
| Punjab | Shubman Gill | Shubman Gill, Prabhsimran Singh | Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar |
| Vidarbha | Harsh Dubey | Akshay Wadkar, Ravikumar Samarth | Yash Thakur, Darshan Nalkande |
| Saurashtra | Harvik Desai | Cheteshwar Pujara, Prerak Mankad | Chetan Sakariya, Chirag Jani |
| Uttar Pradesh | Priyam Garg | Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel | Kartik Tyagi, Zeeshan Ansari |
| Bengal | Abhimanyu Easwaran | Mohammed Shami, Shahbaz Ahmed | Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar |
| Kerala | Rohan Kunnummal | Sanju Samson, Vishnu Vinod | Basil Thampi, Nidheesh MD |
| Maharashtra | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Prithvi Shaw, Rahul Tripathi | Vicky Ostwal, Rajneesh Gurbani |
The 2025–26 had some of India’s biggest cricket names playing. Rohit Sharma turned out for Mumbai. Virat Kohli played for Delhi. KL Rahul led Karnataka’s batting alongside Devdutt Padikkal. Ishan Kishan captained Jharkhand. Sanju Samson represented Kerala. The presence of these Indian internationals made the extra special and competitive this season.
Records and Top Player Performances
| Record | Player | Team | Season / Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Individual Score | Devdutt Padikkal | Karnataka | 220* vs Goa (2020–21) |
| Most Runs in a Season | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Maharashtra | 1,083 runs (2021–22) |
| Most Runs in Tournament History | Robin Uthappa | Karnataka / Mumbai | 3,500+ career runs |
| Most Wickets in a Season | Shahbaz Ahamad | Bengal | 23 wickets (2019–20) |
| Best Bowling in an Innings | Rahul Tewatia | Haryana | 6/28 vs Nagaland |
| Highest Team Total | Uttar Pradesh | vs Arunachal Pradesh | 498/3 in 50 overs |
| Most Centuries in Career | Devdutt Padikkal | Karnataka | 8 centuries |
| Fastest Century | Prithvi Shaw | Mumbai | 67 balls vs Puducherry |
It has seen some breathtaking individual performances over the years. Devdutt Padikkal’s unbeaten 220 against Goa in 2020–21 is the highest score in the tournament’s history. That knock came with 21 fours and 11 massive sixes. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 2021–22 season was historic — he crossed 1,000 runs in a single edition, which has rarely been done in domestic one-day cricket anywhere in the world.
Most Runs and Top Batting Records
| Rank | Batter | State Team | Career Runs | Centuries | Fifties | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robin Uthappa | Karnataka / Mumbai | 3,500+ | 9 | 18 | 171 |
| 2 | Devdutt Padikkal | Karnataka | 2,800+ | 8 | 14 | 220* |
| 3 | Ruturaj Gaikwad | Maharashtra | 2,600+ | 7 | 12 | 168* |
| 4 | Mayank Agarwal | Karnataka | 2,400+ | 6 | 13 | 172 |
| 5 | Narayan Jagadeesan | Tamil Nadu | 2,200+ | 5 | 15 | 185 |
| 6 | Shubman Gill | Punjab | 1,900+ | 5 | 10 | 149 |
| 7 | Prithvi Shaw | Mumbai | 1,800+ | 4 | 11 | 154* |
| 8 | Sanju Samson | Kerala | 1,700+ | 4 | 9 | 142 |
Batting in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is a great way for players to impress selectors. The 50-over format rewards players who can pace their innings well and build big scores. Many of India’s top batters have scored heavily in this tournament before earning national call-ups. Ruturaj Gaikwad’s incredible 2021–22 run not only won him the Orange Cap but also helped secure his place in Team India’s ODI setup.
Top Bowlers and Best Performances
| Rank | Bowler | State Team | Career Wickets | Best Bowling | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | S. Gopal (Shreyas Gopal) | Karnataka | 120+ | 5/17 | 4.8 |
| 2 | Jalaj Saxena | Madhya Pradesh / Kerala | 115+ | 5/23 | 5.1 |
| 3 | Akshay Karnewar | Vidarbha | 105+ | 6/12 | 4.6 |
| 4 | Avesh Khan | Madhya Pradesh | 90+ | 5/28 | 5.3 |
| 5 | Siddharth Kaul | Punjab | 88+ | 5/25 | 5.4 |
| 6 | Praveen Dubey | Himachal Pradesh | 85+ | 5/31 | 5.0 |
| 7 | Tanveer Ul Haq | Jammu & Kashmir | 80+ | 5/19 | 4.9 |
| 8 | Navdeep Saini | Delhi / Karnataka | 78+ | 5/32 | 5.5 |
Bowling in the Vijay Hazare Trophy requires skill, variation, and discipline. The 50-over format gives bowlers a chance to build pressure across long spells. Leg-spinners and off-spinners have been particularly successful in this tournament, especially on Indian pitches that offer turn. Bowlers like Jalaj Saxena, who can both bat and bowl, have been match-winners in many editions.
Winners List from 2002 to 2026
| Season | Winner | Runner-Up | Final Venue | Margin of Victory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–03 | Tamil Nadu | Punjab | Bengaluru | 6 wickets |
| 2003–04 | Mumbai | Tamil Nadu | Rajkot | 5 wickets |
| 2004–05 | Tamil Nadu | Uttar Pradesh | Chennai | 7 wickets |
| 2005–06 | Tamil Nadu | Baroda | Pune | 4 wickets |
| 2006–07 | Delhi | Uttar Pradesh | Bengaluru | 9 runs |
| 2007–08 | Uttar Pradesh | Rajasthan | Kolkata | 4 wickets |
| 2008–09 | Karnataka | Railways | Bengaluru | 6 wickets |
| 2009–10 | Mumbai | Rajasthan | Chennai | 6 wickets |
| 2010–11 | Mumbai | Karnataka | Delhi | 8 wickets |
| 2011–12 | Karnataka | Rajasthan | Bengaluru | 3 wickets |
| 2012–13 | Karnataka | Rajasthan | Jammu | 3 wickets |
| 2013–14 | Karnataka | Punjab | Bengaluru | Tied (Karnataka won by Super Over) |
| 2014–15 | Karnataka | Gujarat | Bengaluru | 5 wickets |
| 2015–16 | Gujarat | Mumbai | Surat | 2 wickets |
| 2016–17 | Himachal Pradesh | Delhi | Delhi | 21 runs |
| 2017–18 | Delhi | Andhra Pradesh | Delhi | 113 runs |
| 2018–19 | Karnataka | Saurashtra | Bengaluru | 4 wickets |
| 2019–20 | Mumbai | Delhi | Delhi | 6 wickets |
| 2020–21 | Himachal Pradesh | Tamil Nadu | Bengaluru | 11 runs |
| 2021–22 | Saurashtra | Maharashtra | Jaipur | 5 wickets |
| 2022–23 | Karnataka | Maharashtra | Bengaluru | 51 runs |
| 2023–24 | Mumbai | Madhya Pradesh | Bengaluru | 6 wickets |
| 2024–25 | Baroda | Kerala | Bengaluru | 4 wickets |
| 2025–26 | Vidarbha | Saurashtra | Bengaluru | 38 runs |
2021–22 Season Overview
The 2021–22 Trophy season was one of the most memorable editions of the tournament. It was played between October and November 2021. Saurashtra won the trophy for the first time in their history by defeating Maharashtra in the final. The final was played at the SMS Stadium in Jaipur.
The star of the season was undoubtedly Ruturaj Gaikwad from Maharashtra. He smashed 1,083 runs in the tournament, the most ever by any player in a single edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He hit 8 centuries, which was also a record. His brilliant form earned him massive appreciation from fans and selectors alike.
| Category | Player / Team | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Tournament Winner | Saurashtra | First-ever Vijay Hazare Trophy title |
| Most Runs (Season) | Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra) | 1,083 runs – all-time record |
| Most Centuries | Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra) | 8 centuries in one edition |
| Top Wicket-Taker | Sai Kishore (Tamil Nadu) | 21 wickets in the tournament |
| Best Individual Score | Shubman Gill (Punjab) | 126 vs Haryana |
| Final Result | Saurashtra beat Maharashtra | Won by 5 wickets in the final |
Vijay Hazare Trophy Most Successful Teams
| Rank | Team | Titles Won | Seasons Won | Finals Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karnataka | 7 | 2008–09, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2018–19, 2022–23 | 9 |
| 2 | Tamil Nadu | 4 | 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2020–21 | 6 |
| 3 | Mumbai | 5 | 2003–04, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2019–20, 2023–24 | 7 |
| 4 | Delhi | 2 | 2006–07, 2017–18 | 4 |
| 5 | Himachal Pradesh | 2 | 2016–17, 2020–21 | 2 |
| 6 | Saurashtra | 1 | 2021–22 | 3 |
| 7 | Gujarat | 1 | 2015–16 | 2 |
| 8 | Uttar Pradesh | 1 | 2007–08 | 2 |
| 9 | Baroda | 1 | 2024–25 | 2 |
| 10 | Vidarbha | 1 | 2025–26 | 1 |
Final Matches and Historic Moments
It finals have produced some amazing cricket moments. The 2013–14 final between Karnataka and Punjab ended in a tie. Karnataka won the trophy on a Super Over, one of the most dramatic endings in domestic cricket history. The 2016–17 final saw Himachal Pradesh stun Delhi by 21 runs, giving the smaller state its first-ever Vijay Hazare Trophy title.
The 2021–22 final saw Saurashtra chase down Maharashtra’s total with 5 wickets to spare, claiming their first title. The 2025–26 final saw Vidarbha beat Saurashtra by 38 runs in a closely-fought contest. Every final tells a unique story of hard work, talent, and team spirit.
| Season | Final Teams | Winner | Margin | Memorable Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | Karnataka vs Punjab | Karnataka | Super Over after Tie | First Super Over finish in VHT history |
| 2016–17 | Himachal Pradesh vs Delhi | Himachal Pradesh | 21 runs | Himachal’s first-ever domestic OD title |
| 2020–21 | Himachal Pradesh vs Tamil Nadu | Himachal Pradesh | 11 runs | Back-to-back title for Himachal |
| 2021–22 | Saurashtra vs Maharashtra | Saurashtra | 5 wickets | Saurashtra wins first-ever trophy |
| 2022–23 | Karnataka vs Maharashtra | Karnataka | 51 runs | Karnataka’s 7th title – a record |
| 2025–26 | Vidarbha vs Saurashtra | Vidarbha | 38 runs | Vidarbha’s first-ever Vijay Hazare Trophy title |
Vijay Hazare Trophy Recent Tournament Highlights (2021–2024)
The past few seasons of the Vijay Hazare Trophy have been full of great cricket. In 2021–22, Ruturaj Gaikwad broke all batting records. In 2022–23, Karnataka won their seventh title, cementing their position as the most successful team in the tournament’s history. In 2023–24, Mumbai won the trophy for the fifth time, beating Madhya Pradesh by 6 wickets in the final.
The 2024–25 season was memorable because Baroda won its first-ever Vijay Hazare Trophy title. The Pandya brothers Hardik and Krunal played key roles in Baroda’s campaign. Krunal captained the side brilliantly. Hardik contributed with both bat and ball. In the 2025–26 season, Vidarbha surprised everyone by defeating Saurashtra in the final to claim their debut title.
| Season | Winner | Orange Cap (Most Runs) | Purple Cap (Most Wickets) | Standout Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | Saurashtra | Ruturaj Gaikwad – 1,083 runs | Sai Kishore – 21 wkts | Gaikwad scores 8 centuries in one edition |
| 2022–23 | Karnataka | Mayank Agarwal – 723 runs | Vidwath Kaverappa – 18 wkts | Karnataka’s record 7th title |
| 2023–24 | Mumbai | Shreyas Iyer – 682 runs | Shardul Thakur – 16 wkts | Mumbai’s dominant knockouts display |
| 2024–25 | Baroda | Krunal Pandya – 541 runs | Hardik Pandya – 14 wkts | Pandya brothers lead Baroda to glory |
| 2025–26 | Vidarbha | Ruturaj Gaikwad – 612 runs | Yash Thakur – 19 wkts | Vidarbha wins maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy |
Vijay Hazare Trophy Importance in Indian Cricket Development
It plays a massive role in Indian cricket. It is the main pathway from club cricket to the Indian national team. Young players who perform well in the Vijay Hazare Trophy often get noticed by national selectors. Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Yashasvi Jaiswal are perfect examples. All three played brilliantly in domestic tournaments before wearing the India blue jersey.
The 50-over format of the Vijay Hazare Trophy is especially important because it mirrors the ODI format used in international cricket and the ICC Cricket World Cup. Players learn to pace their innings, manage partnerships, and plan powerplay overs, all key skills for international cricket. For bowlers, the challenge of bowling 10 overs in a 50-over game teaches discipline and strategy.
State teams also benefit greatly from. Smaller states like Bihar, Nagaland, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh get exposure to professional cricket through the Plate Group. Over time, more players from these regions have joined the Elite Group and even the IPL. This shows how the Vijay Hazare Trophy is helping cricket grow across all of India, not just the big cities.
Vijay Hazare Trophy vs Ranji Trophy vs Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
| Format | Feature | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50-over List A (ODI format) | Overs Per Innings | 50 overs | High – national selectors watch closely |
| 50-over List A (ODI format) | Tournament Type | List A | Oct – Feb season, 38 teams (Elite + Plate) |
| 50-over List A (ODI format) | Named After | Vijay Samuel Hazare | Indian batting legend |
| 50-over List A (ODI format) | Top Teams (historically) | Karnataka, Mumbai, Tamil Nadu | 7 league matches + knockouts |
| 50-over List A (ODI format) | Live Streaming | Jio Hotstar, Star Sports | |
| Multi-day First-Class cricket | Overs Per Innings | Unlimited (no overs limit) | Highest prestige – oldest domestic tournament |
| Multi-day First-Class cricket | Tournament Type | First-Class | Oct – Mar season, 33 teams |
| Multi-day First-Class cricket | Named After | Jack Ranjitsinhji | Indian / England cricketer |
| Multi-day First-Class cricket | Top Teams (historically) | Mumbai (most titles: 41+) | Around 8–9 matches per season |
| Multi-day First-Class cricket | Live Streaming | JioCinema, Jio Hotstar | |
| 20-over T20 format | Overs Per Innings | 20 overs | Growing – T20 stars use it for IPL form |
| 20-over T20 format | Tournament Type | T20 / List T | Sep – Oct season, 38 teams |
| 20-over T20 format | Named After | Syed Mushtaq Ali | Indian spin bowling legend |
| 20-over T20 format | Top Teams (historically) | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Bengal | 5 league matches + knockouts |
| 20-over T20 format | Live Streaming | Star Sports, JioCinema |
All three tournaments serve different purposes in Indian domestic cricket. The Ranji Trophy is the oldest and most prestigious. It tests endurance and technique over multiple days. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is exciting and fast-paced, giving T20 specialists a chance to shine. It sits in the middle. It rewards all-round cricketers who can bat, bowl, and field smartly across 50 overs. For many players, It is the key tournament. It resembles international ODI cricket the most.
Vijay Hazare Trophy Latest News and Updates
The 2025–26 Vijay Hazare Trophy concluded on January 18, 2026, with Vidarbha claiming their maiden title. It was a historic win for the central Indian state. Vidarbha beat Saurashtra by 38 runs in the final played at the BCCI COE Ground in Bengaluru. Captain Harsh Dubey praised the whole team for their consistency throughout the tournament.
In the semi-finals, Vidarbha won against Karnataka by six wickets in a rain-hit game. Saurashtra, meanwhile, took down Punjab by nine wickets in a strong showing. The knockout stage this season was played at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, a world-class facility. Yash Thakur from Vidarbha and Ruturaj Gaikwad from Maharashtra are possible picks. They may join India’s next ODI series squads.
Bihar won the 2025–26 Plate Group final, defeating Manipur by 6 wickets. This promotion earns Bihar a spot in the Elite Group for the next season. Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the young Bihar batter, impressed many scouts with his explosive batting in the Plate Group. He is one to watch in upcoming editions.
Conclusion
The Vijay Hazare Trophy is much more than just a domestic cricket tournament. It is the backbone of India’s ODI cricket development. It gives every state a platform to compete, improve, and produce champions. The Vijay Hazare Trophy delivers unforgettable cricket moments. Ruturaj Gaikwad had a record-breaking season in 2021–22. Then, Vidarbha won their first title in 2025–26. Young talents like Vaibhav Suryavanshi are rising fast. This makes the future of the tournament very bright. For cricket fans in India, the Vijay Hazare Trophy is a must-watch season after season. It is where India’s next cricket superstars are born.
FAQs
What is the Vijay Hazare Trophy in Indian cricket?
The Vijay Hazare Trophy is India’s premier domestic one-day cricket tournament. It features state teams competing in a 50-over format and is organized annually by the BCCI to identify and develop future international players.
Who won the latest Vijay Hazare Trophy?
The latest Vijay Hazare Trophy winner depends on the most recent season. Teams like Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka have been strong contenders, consistently performing well and winning multiple titles in recent years.
Where can I watch Vijay Hazare Trophy live streaming?
You can watch Vijay Hazare Trophy live streaming on official sports platforms and TV channels in India. Live scores and match updates are also available on cricket websites and mobile apps for real-time tracking.
What is the format of the Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament?
The tournament follows a 50-over format. Teams are divided into groups, play league matches, and top teams qualify for the knockout stages, including quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final to decide the champion.
Which players have performed best in Vijay Hazare Trophy?
Many players have excelled in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, including emerging stars and experienced cricketers. Performances from top batsmen and bowlers often help players earn selection for IPL teams and the Indian national squad.
