The Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier domestic one-day tournament, continued to captivate fans and analysts alike on a thrilling December 26, 2025. Day two was a spectacle of record-breaking performances, explosive hitting, nail-biting finishes, and even a moment of concern, underscoring the depth and dynamism of Indian cricket. While a 37-year-old Virat Kohli etched his name in the annals of List A cricket history, the tournament also witnessed the raw power of Rinku Singh and the consistent brilliance of a new crop of batting stars.

Virat Kohli’s Historic Feat and Delhi’s Dramatic Win

India’s superstar, Virat Kohli, demonstrated why he remains one of the game’s titans, delivering a ‘Player of the Match’ performance for Delhi in their gripping seven-run victory over Gujarat in Bengaluru. Kohli’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, smashing 77 runs off just 61 balls. Not content with his batting heroics, he also showcased his agility in the field, taking two crucial catches that contributed significantly to Delhi’s dramatic comeback.

What truly elevated Kohli’s performance into cricketing lore was his achievement of the highest List A average in the history of the sport. His knock saw his List A average climb to an astounding 57.87, nudging past the legendary Australian finisher Michael Bevan’s long-standing record of 57.86. For a player of Kohli’s stature, at 37 years of age, to not only be scoring runs prolifically but also breaking statistical benchmarks previously held by specialists in the format, speaks volumes about his enduring class, fitness, and relentless pursuit of excellence. This record solidifies his legacy as arguably the greatest white-ball batter of his generation, showcasing his incredible consistency across a career spanning decades.

Delhi’s win itself was a testament to their resilience. After posting a challenging but not insurmountable 254/9, thanks to Kohli’s 77 and a timely 70 from captain Rishabh Pant, they found themselves staring down the barrel of defeat. Gujarat needed just 16 runs with three wickets in hand and four overs remaining, but Delhi’s bowlers, marshalled by Pant’s ‘unusual strategy’ of using eight bowlers, staged a remarkable comeback. Prince Yadav and Simarjeet Singh picked up crucial wickets, and Kohli sealed the win with the final catch, showcasing a remarkable collective effort under pressure.

Rinku Singh’s Blazing Century Steals the Show

If Kohli brought statistical brilliance, Rinku Singh delivered pure, unadulterated fireworks. The Uttar Pradesh captain smashed a breathtaking 56-ball hundred against Chandigarh, powering his side to a mammoth total of 367/4. Rinku’s innings, which ultimately saw him remain unbeaten on 106 off 60 balls, was laced with 11 boundaries and 4 sixes, a clear demonstration of his incredible power-hitting capabilities and his growing reputation as one of India’s most destructive finishers.

Uttar Pradesh, on the back of Rinku’s blitz and a century from Aryan Juyal (134), went on to bundle out Chandigarh for just 140, securing a massive 227-run victory. Spinner Zeeshan Ansari, who plays for SRH in the IPL, was instrumental with four wickets, showcasing the comprehensive nature of UP’s triumph. Rinku’s consistent performances in domestic cricket, following his IPL exploits, reinforce his claims for a permanent spot in the national white-ball setup, offering India a dynamic and reliable middle-order enforcer.

Other Noteworthy Performances and Key Incidents

Karnataka’s Batting Dominance

Karnataka continued their impressive run, registering an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Kerala. This win was orchestrated by twin centuries from Devdutt Padikkal (124) and Karun Nair (130*). Padikkal’s knock marked his second consecutive century in the tournament, highlighting his rich vein of form and proving his ability to convert starts into big scores. Karun Nair, a seasoned campaigner, remained unbeaten, guiding his team to chase down 285 with ten balls to spare. Such consistent performances from these batters, especially Nair who has been ‘ignored from the Indian Test team recently’, serve as a powerful reminder of the talent pool striving for national recognition.

Rohit Sharma’s Mixed Day and Mumbai’s Resilience

The day began with ‘Rohit-mania’ in Jaipur, as thousands flocked to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium to watch the 38-year-old Indian captain. However, fans were left disappointed as Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a golden duck against Uttarakhand, falling to Bora on the very first delivery. Despite their captain’s rare failure, Mumbai’s ‘star-studded team’ rallied, posting 331/7, largely due to a superb 93 from wicket-keeper Hardik Tamore and half-centuries (55 each) from brothers Sarfaraz Khan and Musheer Khan. Mumbai eventually secured a comfortable 51-run victory, demonstrating their squad depth.

Concern Over Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s Injury

A moment of significant concern overshadowed Mumbai’s win as young talent Angkrish Raghuvanshi suffered a ‘nasty injury to his head and shoulder’ while attempting a difficult catch. He was ‘rushed to a hospital’ and carried off the field on a stretcher. The cricketing fraternity collectively hopes for a speedy and full recovery for the youngster, emphasizing player safety in the demanding sport.

Emerging Talents and Thrilling Encounters

• Vaibhav Suryavanshi’s Absence: The 14-year-old sensation, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who had previously scripted history with a mind-boggling 190 runs, was notably absent from Bihar’s playing XI. It was later revealed he received the ‘Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar’, India’s highest civilian honour for children, recognizing his outstanding contribution to sports. A unique and heartwarming reason for missing a game.
• Madhya Pradesh’s Last-Over Victory: Led by Venkatesh Iyer, Madhya Pradesh chased down 281 against Tamil Nadu in a thrilling last-over finish, winning by two wickets with Yash Dubey (92) and Himanshu Mantri (90) leading the charge.
• Punjab’s Dominant Chase: Harnoor Singh and Anmolpreet Singh both smashed unbeaten hundreds to guide Punjab to a convincing nine-wicket victory over Chhattisgarh, chasing 254 with 7.5 overs to spare.
• Baroda’s Gritty Win: Baroda clinched a four-wicket win over Bengal despite a late collapse, with captain Krunal Pandya being the star with three wickets and a fifty. Raj Limbani also impressed with a five-wicket haul against a Bengal side featuring national pacers Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep.
• Maharashtra’s Quickfire Win: Prithvi Shaw’s half-century (51 off 43) and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s blistering 13-ball 38 ensured Maharashtra easily chased 151 against Sikkim.
• Individual Brilliance: Khaleel Ahmed, the CSK pacer, scalped four wickets for Rajasthan. Dhruv Jurel, batting at No. 3 for UP, registered consecutive half-centuries. Sai Sudharsan, another India Test star, scored a half-century for Tamil Nadu before retiring hurt. Prashant Veer, the CSK’s ‘Rs 14.20 crore star in the IPL 2026 auction’, also featured for UP.

The Significance of the Vijay Hazare Trophy

This round of Vijay Hazare Trophy fixtures once again highlighted the tournament’s critical role in the Indian cricket ecosystem. It serves as a vital platform for established stars like Kohli and Rohit to maintain form and prove their prowess, while simultaneously offering emerging talents like Rinku Singh, Devdutt Padikkal, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and Vaibhav Suryavanshi the opportunity to showcase their skills on a competitive stage. The blend of seasoned international performers and hungry youngsters creates a compelling narrative, making the Vijay Hazare Trophy a cornerstone of India’s cricketing pipeline and a must-watch for fans anticipating the next generation of cricketing heroes.

As the tournament progresses, the excitement is only set to intensify, with more records likely to tumble and new stars waiting to emerge, all vying for recognition and the ultimate glory of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

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