Likely quarter-finalists in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 quarter-final picture takes shape as Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab and Mumbai already seal qualification.

The 33rd edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy is entering the business end of the tournament. All elite sides have just one round of league matches remaining in the group stage. The competition has already produced several enthralling performances, underlining a high-scoring Vijay Hazare Trophy so far.

After the six rounds of matches, Karnataka, Mumbai, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh have already sealed their places in the Vijay Hazare Trophy quarter-finals. The final round of league fixtures on January 8 will determine the remaining four spots in the last eight. So, which teams are best placed to join them? This piece takes a closer look at the contenders.

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Group A – Karnataka, Kerala/Jharkhand/Madhya Pradesh
Karnataka have already sealed their quarter-final berth by dominating the group stages, winning all six of their games so far. They are scheduled to face fourth-placed Madhya Pradesh in their final league fixture, and even a defeat would not jeopardise Karnataka’s grip on the top spot in Group A.

While Karnataka sit comfortably at the summit, the race for the remaining quarter-final places in the group is far tighter. Kerala, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh remain in contention for a top-eight finish. Among them, Jharkhand and Kerala appear better placed to progress, with Jharkhand set to face a developing Tripura side. At the same time, Kerala take on an inconsistent Tamil Nadu outfit in their final league match.

On the other hand, Madhya Pradesh will meet the table-toppers Karnataka, who look invincible at the moment. With that being said, Jharkhand (0.634) need to win their game by a huge margin to pip Kerala (0.933) in net run rate, in case both sides win.

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Group B- Uttar Pradesh, Vidarbha/Bengal/Baroda
Like Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, led by Rinku Singh, remain unbeaten in the league stage and are assured of finishing atop Group B regardless of the outcome of their final fixture against Bengal. For Bengal, however, the stakes are far higher. Sitting third on the table with 16 points, the match is a must-win if they are to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.

The other teams still in contention for a top-eight finish from Group B are Vidarbha and Baroda. Last season’s runners-up Vidarbha face Assam, while Baroda take on bottom-placed Chandigarh. Given their current form, both Vidarbha and Baroda will back themselves to get the job done and seal quarter-final berths.

If all three teams win their respective games, Vidarbha have the best chance to reach the next round, owing to their superior NRR (0.950) compared to the other two (Bengal 0.595 & Baroda, 0.320).

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Group C – Punjab, Mumbai
While the identity of the second-placed teams in Groups A and B remains uncertain, the picture is far clearer in Group C. Punjab, one of the tournament’s most formidable batting units, sit atop the group with five wins from six matches, with Mumbai level on points in second place.

With qualification already secured and one league game remaining, both sides have pulled clear of the rest of the group, leaving the remaining teams out of contention. Fittingly, the dominant outfits will meet in their league fixture, a clash that will decide the Group C top spot and the coveted C1 position heading into the knockouts.

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Group D – Delhi, Saurashtra/Haryana
Group D promises to be the tightest of the lot, with no team yet officially qualified for the quarter-finals. Table-toppers Delhi, on 20 points, face second-placed Haryana in a high-stakes final league fixture.

A win for Delhi will seal their place in the knockouts, but a defeat would throw the group wide open. In that scenario, Haryana would progress automatically, while the outcome of the Gujarat vs Saurashtra clash would take on added significance. Saurashtra, currently third with 16 points, would require a victory by a substantial margin to break into the top eight, while a loss would render the Delhi–Haryana result largely academic from a qualification standpoint.

As things stand, Delhi remain favourites to advance, unless they slip up against Haryana and Saurashtra manage a comprehensive win to swing the net run-rate equation in their favour.

Given that Karnataka will finish as A1, this will set up a blockbuster QF1 clash with either Mumbai or Punjab from Group C on January 12th at Bengaluru. Similarly, Uttar Pradesh (B1) will face off against the second-placed team from Group D on the same day in QF2.

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Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite group 2025-26 Quarter Final Itineraries

12th January
QF 1 – Karnataka (A1) v Mumbai / Punjab (C2) 

QF 2 – Uttar Pradesh (B1) v Delhi/Haryana/Saurashtra (D2)

13th January
QF 3 – Mumbai/ Punjab (C1) v Kerala/ Jharkhand/ Madhya Pradesh (A2)

QF 4 – Delhi/Haryana/Saurashtra (D1) v Vidarbha/ Bengal/ Baroda (B2)

In the semifinal clashes, the winner of Q1 will face the victors from the Q4 clash, and the Q2 winners take on the Q3 winners on 15 & 16 January, respectively.

The final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 will be played on January 18 at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru.

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