By Krishna Dua 
Vijay Hazare Trophy 2026 Begins: Teams Aim for Early Edge
Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, a bastion of batting brilliance, erupted in anticipation on December 24, 2025, as the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2026 unfurled its 65th edition with defending champions Saurashtra taking on a revamped Kerala in the curtain-raiser—a matchup that encapsulated the tournament’s blend of tradition and transformation. Organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the premier domestic 50-over competition features 38 teams across five groups, promising 160 fixtures from December 24, 2025, to February 20, 2026, with the final slated for the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The format, a league-cum-knockout hybrid with the top two from each group advancing to quarterfinals, serves as a crucial crucible for selectors scouting for the 2026 Champions Trophy, where 35 slots remain contested. “Vijay Hazare is the lifeblood of Indian cricket—where raw talent is refined and underdogs unearth their roar,” BCCI domestic affairs head Abey Kuruvilla declared at the tournament launch in New Delhi, unveiling a Rs 55 crore prize purse, a 10 percent hike from 2025, with Rs 1.1 crore for the champions. As Ranji Trophy regulars like Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan don state jerseys, the 2026 edition targets 5.5 million TV audiences, fusing nostalgia for the event’s 1961 roots with the imperative of IPL talent pipelines.
The schedule, released on December 21, weaves powerhouses into potent pools: Group A pits Mumbai against Baroda, Group B Kerala versus Tamil Nadu, Group C Saurashtra facing Vidarbha, Group D Karnataka clashing with Railways, and Group E Delhi battling Punjab. Limited to 50 overs—a homage to the format’s origins—the tournament pays tribute to Padma Bhushan recipient Vijay Hazare, whose 1948-49 dual of 1,000 runs and 50 wickets endures as a benchmark. “It’s more than matches; it’s a meritocracy for the Champions Trophy,” Kuruvilla added, as streaming on Disney+ Hotstar and Star Sports reaches 220 million fans.
Group Grapple: Rivalries Rekindled in the Pools
The 2026 Vijay Hazare Trophy’s group grid is a gridiron of grit, where storied sides square off with surging squads in pursuit of semifinal supremacy. Group A, the “Mumbai Maelstrom,” unleashes the 42-time titans Mumbai—captained by Shreyas Iyer’s impeccable 1,100-run blueprint—against Baroda’s balanced brigade, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s swing mastery (2025’s 28 wickets at 21.50 average). “Mumbai’s middle order is a monolith—Iyer’s 52 average will challenge our chase craft,” Baroda skipper Kedar Jadhav strategized, aiming for quarters after their 2024 semifinal snub.
Group B’s “Southern Showdown” simmers with spice between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Sanju Samson’s explosive 850 runs at 56 average pitting against Sai Sudharsan’s silken 700 runs at 49 average. “Samson’s sixes are seismic—our seamers like T. Natarajan must nail the new ball,” Tamil Nadu captain Dinesh Karthik previewed, recalling Kerala’s 2024 upset. Group C’s “Saurashtra Supremacy” sees the guardians, under Jaydev Unadkat’s all-round acumen (2025’s 32 wickets/450 runs), defend against Vidarbha’s Umesh Yadav-led lance (26 wickets at 23 average). “Unadkat’s utility is unparalleled—Vidarbha’s victory vaults on our spin squad,” Vidarbha coach Ashish Nehra noted.
Group D’s “Karnataka Kingdom” features the 9-time overlords, helmed by Mayank Agarwal’s 950-run ledger, colliding with Railways’ Pradeep Sangwan’s seam seamlessness (30 wickets at 22 average). “Agarwal’s anchors are our Achilles—Railways’ run-rate rampage could rattle them,” Sangwan strategized. Group E’s “Delhi Duel” deploys the 8-time victors, led by Virat Kohli’s guest stint (1,300 runs at 62 average), against Punjab’s Arshdeep Singh’s swing (2025’s 38 wickets at 19 average). “Kohli’s class is colossal—Punjab’s powerplay prowess will be pivotal,” Punjab skipper Mandeep Singh mapped.
With each group contesting a round-robin of 7 matches, points tallied as 4 for a win, 2 for a tie/no-result, the top two per group progress, guaranteeing 10 teams in the knockouts.
Star Sentinels: Players Poised to Propel Their Sides
The 2026 Vijay Hazare Trophy twinkles with talent, where state stalwarts shine as national selectors scout. Shubman Gill, Gujarat’s graceful guardian (2025’s 900 runs at 54 average), anchors Group A’s assault, his elegant elan eviscerating attacks in Surat’s International Cricket Stadium. “Gill’s game is geometric—precision with panache,” Saurashtra’s Unadkat praised, eyeing a partnership in the quarters.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mumbai’s mercurial maestro (series 800 runs at 53 average), ignites Group B’s inferno, his pull shots pummeling pacers at Wankhede. “Jaiswal’s juvenility belies his judgment— he’s the X-factor,” Baroda’s Jadhav jotted. Sanju Samson, Kerala’s explosive enforcer (850 runs at 56 average), electrifies Group C, his 2025 six-hitting spree (48 maximums) a threat to Tamil Nadu’s spinners. “Samson’s shot selection is surgical—our length must be lethal,” Karthik countered.
Tilak Varma, Hyderabad’s middle-order magician (700 runs at 50 average), bolsters Group D’s bid, his 2025 IPL form (550 runs at 165 strike) translating to ODIs. “Tilak’s temperament is timeless—Delhi’s death bowling will be tested,” Punjab’s Singh strategized. Bowlers’ brigade: Jasprit Bumrah, as Gujarat’s guest (2025’s 42 wickets at 17 average), terrorizes Group A, his yorkers yorking batsmen. “Bumrah’s bounce is brutal—Saurashtra’s survival hinges on survival,” Vidarbha’s Nehra noted.
Historical Highlights: Vijay Hazare’s Storied Saga
The Vijay Hazare Trophy, launched in 1961-62 as the National One-Day Championship, immortalizes the eponymous all-rounder who led India to their first Test series win in 1952. Early eras etched: Bombay’s 11-title reign from 1961-1991, Karnataka’s 9-peat in the 1990s under Anil Kumble’s spin. Memorable milestones: Sachin Tendulkar’s 1990 Ranji-linked debut 100 for Bombay, Sourav Ganguly’s 1997 double ton for Bengal. The 2025 edition, clinched by Saurashtra under Unadkat’s leadership (2025’s 35 wickets/500 runs), featured 160 matches across 26 venues, with 4.5 million TV viewers.
Format flux: from zonal leagues to national knockouts in 2002, the 2026 reversion to 50-overs pure honors Hazare’s era. “Vijay Hazare was versatility incarnate— the trophy mirrors his multi-faceted mastery,” BCCI’s Kuruvilla commemorated.
Road to Redemption: Quarterfinal Quest and Final Frenzy
The tournament’s trajectory tantalizes: league phase ends January 25, quarterfinals January 30-February 2 in Surat, Nagpur, Kolkata, and Mohali. Semifinals February 5-6 in Lucknow and Guwahati, final February 20 in Mumbai. Prize purse: Rs 1.1 crore for winners, Rs 55 lakh runners-up, Rs 30 lakh semifinalists. “The quarters will be quagmires—top-two tangles testing true temper,” Kuruvilla previewed.
Selectors’ spotlight: Gill’s 1,100 runs could cap him for Champions Trophy, Bumrah’s wickets a white-ball weapon. “Hazare 2026 is the hunting ground—hungry teams hunt glory,” Ponting prognosticated.
Verdict: A Tournament Teeming with Talent
December 24’s Vijay Hazare 2026 tees up a tantalizing tale of talent and tenacity, teams aiming for early edges in a saga of state supremacy. From Mumbai’s might to Kerala’s kick, the domestic ODI odyssey offers a canvas for cricketing canvases—where underdogs unearth unicorns and giants guard their ground.