Quarterfinals Set as Top Teams Seal Spots in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26
The group stage of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 produced plenty of drama and tight finishes, and the eight quarterfinalists are now confirmed. Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Mumbai, Delhi and Saurashtra lead the list of sides that impressed with consistent performances, while Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha grabbed the remaining spots after late twists in the standings.
Karnataka’s early qualification and Madhya Pradesh’s late surge
Karnataka had already secured their place in the last eight even before their final group game. Their campaign got off to a rocky start, though — Madhya Pradesh beat them convincingly in the tournament opener, chasing down the target with seven wickets in hand and 26.4 overs to spare. That result threatened to complicate the group, but Chennai’s consistency elsewhere meant Karnataka still cruised through.
Madhya Pradesh, meanwhile, sneaked into the quarterfinals thanks to favourable results elsewhere. Kerala and Jharkhand were chasing the second spot in the same block but both came up short in their final games, allowing MP to qualify unexpectedly. It was a timely reminder that in this format, momentum and timing matter as much as individual results.
Uttar Pradesh dominate Group B; Vidarbha and Baroda fight till the end
Uttar Pradesh were the standouts in their pool, finishing well ahead with six wins and an assured knockout berth. They delivered a statement by beating Bengal, effectively ending Bengal’s hopes of progressing.
The race for the remaining spot in that section went down to the wire. Vidarbha sealed qualification with a huge 160-run victory over Assam, while Baroda also won big against Chandigarh by 147 runs. Net run rate ultimately separated the contenders and handed the ticket to Vidarbha — a harsh way to miss out, but such margins often decide the fate in domestic one-day tournaments.
Punchy finishes: Punjab just edges Mumbai
Group matches involving Punjab and Mumbai produced one of the tournament’s most dramatic contests. Punjab held their nerve to beat Mumbai by a single run in a thriller, a result that summed up the tight margins in List A cricket.
The match also featured an individual milestone: Sarfaraz Khan recorded the fastest List A fifty by an Indian in the competition, but even his rapid start couldn’t stop Mumbai’s collapse. Chasing 217, Mumbai lost their last six wickets for just 24 runs — a dramatic late collapse that cost them dearly and handed Punjab critical momentum.
Delhi return to the knockouts after five years
Another big story of the group stage was Delhi’s return to the knockout phase after a five-year absence. A close mini-race involving Delhi, Saurashtra and Haryana was decided in the final round of matches. Delhi cruised past Haryana by nine wickets to secure the top spot, while Saurashtra dominated Gujarat to book their own place in the quarterfinals.
The resurgence of Delhi has been helped by the availability of experienced names who have rejoined the setup — the returns of Rishabh Pant, Nitish Rana and Virat Kohli have injected both confidence and firepower into the side. Their presence was clearly felt in crucial moments across the group stage.
Key themes from the group stage
- Margin matters: Net run rate again played a decisive role in who advanced and who didn’t.
- Experience counts: Teams with seasoned campaigners found it easier to manage tense endings and close chases.
- Momentum swings: Big wins and sudden collapses shifted qualification scenarios rapidly, keeping the tournament unpredictable.
Looking ahead to the quarterfinals
With the quarterfinal line-up locked — Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Mumbai, Delhi, Saurashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha — fans can expect high-intensity, tactical one-day cricket. The knockout stage will test depth, temperament and the ability to perform under pressure. Given the tight finishes of the group stage, the quarterfinals promise more edge-of-the-seat encounters and standout individual displays.
As the competition moves into the knockout phase, teams will need to bring their best bowling plans and most composed batting performances. The stage is set for another exciting chapter in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26.