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