Delhi on the brink of making it knockouts of Vijay Hazare Trophy

New Delhi: The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 — India’s most prestigious domestic 50-over competition — returned with heightened excitement as several international stars rejoined their state sides. The tournament, which ran from late December 2025 into January 2026, saw Delhi cricket etam emerge as one of the standout teams in Elite Group D, combining experienced leadership with dynamic batting and incisive bowling to challenge for the knockout stages.

High Expectations & a Star-Studded Lineup

Delhi began their campaign with considerable attention due to the availability of international stars. Among them was Virat Kohli, making a rare appearance in the Vijay Hazare format for Delhi after many years — a significant boost for the side both in batting depth and experience.

Leading the side through much of the campaign was Rishabh Pant, who anchored Delhi’s batting efforts and provided aggressive impetus in the middle order.

Season Kick-Off: A Statement Win

Delhi opened their tournament with a strong victory against Andhra Pradesh on 24 December 2025 at Bengaluru. Chasing a formidable total of 299, Delhi rode on a majestic 131-run knock from Virat Kohli, steering his side to a four-wicket win with 74 balls to spare. His innings was not just crucial in the context of the match, but also historic — Kohli achieved a milestone in domestic List A cricket, further enhancing his already legendary status in Indian cricket.

Maintaining Momentum in Group Play

In the ensuing group matches, Delhi demonstrated balance across batting and bowling:

Strong Performances from the Top Order: Beyond Kohli’s early heroics, young batters like Priyansh Arya stepped up with key contributions. Arya’s aggressive style provided Delhi with brisk starts and momentum when chasing or setting targets.

Impressive Bowling Efforts: Delhi’s bowlers often kept opposition totals in check, laying a platform for the batsmen. Their disciplined attack regularly restricted teams to modest totals, further highlighting the team’s collective strength.

By late December, Delhi were well entrenched in the top positions of Elite Group D, threatening to finish among the qualifiers for the knockout stage.

New Year Brilliance: Dominant Win Over Services

Delhi returned in January 2026 with another emphatic performance. On 3 January 2026, they faced Services in Bengaluru and produced a clinical display of batting dominance. Electing to chase, Delhi reached 182/2 in just 19.4 overs, defeating Services by eight wickets with 182 balls remaining — one of the most convincing victories of their campaign.

In that match:

Priyansh Arya led the charge with a quick 72 off 45 balls, showcasing both power and smart shot-making.

Rishabh Pant provided aggressive support, remaining unbeaten and maintaining the pace of the chase.

The bowlers, particularly Harshit Rana, dismantled the Services batting line-up, with Rana finishing with a match-defining 4/47.

This result not only marked another dominant performance but also lifted Delhi to the top of Group D’s standings, highlighting their growing confidence as the tournament progressed.

Outlook: Knockout Ambitions & Beyond

By early January, with four wins from five matches and a strong net run rate, Delhi looked poised to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament — a testament to their consistency and adaptability throughout the competition.

Tags : Delhi Cricket, Vijay Hazare Trophy, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Priyansh Arya, Bengaluru