Bengaluru, January 13, 2026 – The highly anticipated second set of quarter-finals in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 delivered high-octane drama and formidable batting performances, as Punjab and Vidarbha posted commanding totals against Madhya Pradesh and Delhi, respectively. These crucial encounters, unfolding as breaking news, are set to decide the remaining two semi-finalists in India’s premier List A domestic competition, promising thrilling chases and intense cricketing action.

The day began with immense anticipation, pitting Punjab’s explosive batting against Madhya Pradesh’s resilience, and Delhi’s star-studded lineup (minus Rishabh Pant) against Vidarbha’s disciplined, ‘grind-it-out’ approach. As the dust settled on the first innings of both matches, the scoreboard reflected dominant displays from Punjab and Vidarbha, setting up captivating contests for the latter half of the day.

Punjab’s Batting Blitzkrieg Against Madhya Pradesh

In a clash that promised fireworks, Group C toppers Punjab lived up to their reputation, posting a monumental 345/6 in their 50 overs against Madhya Pradesh. Madhya Pradesh skipper Venkatesh Iyer, leading a side that featured ‘IPL 2025-winning captain Rajat Patidar’, had won the toss and elected to field, hoping to exploit early conditions. However, Punjab’s aggressive batting unit had other ideas.

The foundation was laid by a solid opening partnership between skipper Prabhsimran Singh and Harnoor Singh. Both openers played ‘good cricket’, ‘carefully taking their side ahead’, as Punjab ‘crossed the 50-run mark’ without much fuss. The 116-run stand was eventually broken when Aryan Pandey ‘struck’, dismissing Harnoor Singh for a well-made 51. This breakthrough, however, brought little respite for MP.

Prabhsimran Singh continued his dominant display, inching closer to a century before being dismissed for a superb 88. He was caught by Saransh Jain off the bowling of Kuldeep Sen, leaving Punjab at 155/2. Despite losing both openers relatively quickly, the incoming batsmen maintained the scoring rate. Anmolpreet Singh and Nehal Wadhera then forged a ‘terrific partnership’, with Wadhera playing a ‘fiery knock’ that included a crucial half-century. Their efforts propelled Punjab past the 250-run mark, setting the stage for a grand finish.

Anmolpreet Singh contributed 70 runs, while Nehal Wadhera finished with 56, and Harnoor Singh’s 51 had set the initial tone. This collective batting effort, showcasing both aggression and resilience, allowed Punjab to finish strong at 345/6. For Madhya Pradesh, Tripuresh Singh and the influential Venkatesh Iyer managed to scalp two wickets each, but the sheer volume of runs demonstrated Punjab’s formidable batting depth. Madhya Pradesh now face a daunting task, requiring 346 runs to secure a semi-final berth – a chase that will test their ‘middle-order depth’ and ‘top form’ of players like Venkatesh Iyer and Rajat Patidar.

Analysis: Punjab’s Knockout Mentality

Punjab’s performance in the first innings was a clear statement of intent. Coming into the knockout stage ‘with high momentum’, their reliance on the ‘aggressive opening duo’ paid dividends, even if Abhishek Sharma wasn’t mentioned in the live updates of opening batsmen. The ability to recover from the loss of set batsmen – Prabhsimran Singh and Harnoor Singh – and continue the scoring spree through Wadhera and Anmolpreet highlights their strong batting lineup and belief. Setting a target of 346 in a pressure-cooker quarter-final is a testament to their high-octane batting style and suggests they are formidable contenders for the title. Madhya Pradesh, despite their ‘mettle’ and ‘spin variety’, will need exceptional performances from their key batsmen to overhaul this challenging total, especially with the pressure of a knockout match.

Vidarbha’s Resilient Display Against Delhi

In the second quarter-final, a battle of contrasting styles unfolded between Vidarbha and Delhi. Delhi, ‘without skipper Rishabh Pant’ but boasting a ‘star-studded roster’ including Priyansh Arya and Nitish Rana, had won the toss and elected to field. They faced a ‘disciplined Vidarbha side’, known for their ‘clinical bowling’ and a ‘grind-it-out mentality’ – a classic encounter between ‘individual brilliance and collective team discipline’.

Vidarbha’s innings began cautiously, with openers Atharva Taide and Aman Mokhade ‘assessing the conditions’ and ‘cautiously taking singles’. Delhi’s veteran pacer and captain Ishant Sharma, alongside Navdeep Saini, ‘eyed some quick wickets’. Their persistence paid off when Navdeep Saini ‘struck’, dismissing Aman Mokhade for six, providing Delhi with their ‘first breakthrough’.

However, Vidarbha quickly regrouped. Atharva Taide, forming a ‘solid partnership’ with Dhruv Shorey, went on to score a crucial 62 before being dismissed by Ishant Sharma. Just as Shorey was ‘nearing half-century’, he too fell, removed for 49 by LSG star Prince Yadav, who plays for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. These two quick wickets seemed to put Delhi in control, with the score at 136/3 in 27 overs.

Yet, Vidarbha’s ‘grind-it-out’ mentality shone through. Yash Rathod and Rohit Binkar then forged a ‘game-changer’ partnership. Rathod completed his half-century and continued to anchor the innings, pushing Vidarbha past the 250-run mark. Eventually, Vidarbha’s innings concluded at a very competitive 300/9 in 50 overs. Yash Rathod emerged as the top-scorer with an excellent 86 runs, complemented by Taide’s 62 and Shorey’s 49.

Delhi’s bowlers showed collective strength, with Ishant Sharma, Navdeep Saini, Nitish Rana, and Prince Yadav all scalping two wickets each, demonstrating the depth of their attack. At the time of the latest update, Delhi’s chase had begun steadily, reaching 23/0 in 3 overs, with Priyansh Arya on 13* and Vaibhav Kandpal on 6*. The target of 301 will be a stiff challenge, especially against Vidarbha’s ‘clinical bowling’.

Analysis: Vidarbha’s Collective Resilience

Vidarbha’s ability to cross the 300-run mark against a potent Delhi attack, even without their skipper Rishabh Pant, speaks volumes about their team ethos. Their ‘grind-it-out’ approach, focusing on building partnerships and ensuring no major collapse, allowed them to set a significant total. The contributions from Yash Rathod, Atharva Taide, and Dhruv Shorey were vital, showcasing individual skill within a collective framework. For Delhi, despite the early breakthroughs, the inability to completely dismantle Vidarbha’s middle and lower order meant a challenging chase awaits. Their ‘star-studded roster’ will need to deliver on ‘individual brilliance’ to overcome Vidarbha’s ‘team discipline’ and reach the semi-finals.

The Road to the Semi-Finals: A Tournament of High Stakes

These quarter-finals are pivotal moments in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. The winners will join defending champions Karnataka and Saurashtra in the semi-finals. Karnataka, showcasing their consistent dominance, ‘stormed into their fourth successive Vijay Hazare Trophy semifinals’ with a ‘thumping 54-run victory over Mumbai via the VJD method’. Saurashtra, led by skipper Harvik Desai’s unbeaten century, ‘humbled fancied Uttar Pradesh by 17 runs via the VJD Method’ in another rain-interrupted game. The competition has already showcased some thrilling contests and resilient performances, setting a high standard for the remaining matches.

The high totals posted by Punjab and Vidarbha underscore the evolving nature of List A cricket, where 300 is often considered par, and 340+ becomes a formidable challenge. The pressure of a knockout match adds another layer of complexity to these chases, demanding not just skill but also temperament and strategic foresight from the batting sides.

Looking Ahead: Thrilling Chases Await

As the second innings of these crucial quarter-finals get underway, all eyes will be on Delhi and Madhya Pradesh. Delhi’s chase of 301 and Madhya Pradesh’s pursuit of 346 promise to be gripping contests. The quality of cricket displayed by all teams in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 quarter-finals reaffirms the strength and depth of India’s domestic cricket circuit. With two spots in the semi-finals still up for grabs, the cricketing world eagerly awaits the culmination of these breaking encounters.

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