Vijay Hazare Trophy Final: Saurashtra and Vidarbha Set for Thrilling Showdown

The Vijay Hazare Trophy final is set to be an exhilarating clash between Saurashtra and Vidarbha, both teams eager to claim their first title. With no standout stars, both sides have relied on strong teamwork and consistent performances throughout the tournament. Key players like Harvik Desai and Aman Mokhade have been instrumental in their respective teams' journeys to the final. The toss could be pivotal, especially with dew expected to influence the second innings. As both teams prepare to face the pressure of the final, fans are left wondering who will rise to the occasion and secure the coveted trophy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 17, 2026, 12:56 IST

Exciting Final Awaits at BCCI Centre of Excellence

Bengaluru: A captivating contest is set to unfold as Saurashtra and Vidarbha clash for their third and maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy title, respectively, at the BCCI Centre of Excellence this Sunday.

Unlike previous tournaments, neither team boasts any standout stars in their rosters.

However, both teams have demonstrated exceptional teamwork, with their players performing cohesively throughout the tournament, defeating several higher-ranked teams to reach the final.

Saurashtra's captain, Harvik Desai, has been instrumental, leading the scoring charts with 561 runs, while Vishvaraj Jadeja played a pivotal role in their semifinal victory over Punjab with a remarkable century.

Conversely, Vidarbha's batting lineup has been bolstered by Aman Mokhade, who leads the tournament with 781 runs, alongside Dhruv Shorey, who has contributed 515 runs.

Mokhade, an opener with a classic style, showcased his skills with a century against Karnataka in the semifinals, demonstrating his ability to build innings and manage pressure.

Ravikumar Samarth has also made significant contributions in the middle order, accumulating 427 runs.

Both teams appear evenly matched in batting, and the bowling departments tell a similar story.

Saurashtra's pace attack, featuring Ankur Panwar (21 wickets) and Chetan Sakariya (15 wickets), has been effective both at the start and during the death overs.

Vidarbha relies on young pacers Nachiket Bhut (15 wickets) and Yash Thakur (15 wickets), who will be crucial in the final.

Darshan Nalkande (12 wickets) adds depth to Vidarbha's pace options, having demonstrated his skills during the semifinal against Karnataka.

The toss will play a vital role in the final, especially with dew expected to affect conditions in the second innings, making it advantageous for the team that bowls first.

Historically, the chasing team has won four out of six knockout matches at this venue, suggesting a trend that may continue, potentially limiting the impact of spinners in the latter stages.

However, Vidarbha's young captain and left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey's ability to control the game could prove beneficial.

Ultimately, both teams, with Vidarbha being last year's runners-up to Karnataka, will need to manage their nerves to secure victory in this crucial match.

Teams:

Vidarbha: Harsh Dubey (c), Yash Thakur (vc), Atharva Taide, Dhruv Shorey, Aman Mokhade, Yash Rathod, Shivam Deshmukh (wk), Akshay Wadkar, Nachiket Bhute, Darshan Nalkande, R. Samarth, Parth Rekhade, Dipesh Parwani, Praful Hinge, Shubham Dubey, Ganesh Bhosle.

Saurashtra: Harvik Desai (wk/c), Vishvaraj Jadeja, Prerak Mankad, Sammar Gajjar, Chirag Jani, Ruchit Ahir, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Ankur Panwar, Prasanta Rana, Aditya Jadeja, Chetan Sakariya, Hetvik Kotak, Pranav Karia, Yuvraj Chudasama, Parth Bhut, Tarang Gohel, Jay Gohil, Ansh Gosai, Parswaraj Rana, Hiten Kanbi.