The Mumbai cricket team has been crowned the champion of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 season. In a thrilling final played on Thursday, 8th January 2026, Mumbai defeated a spirited Punjab side by a margin of 45 runs to lift the prestigious domestic one-day trophy for the fourth time in their history.
Mumbai's Commanding Batting Display
Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Mumbai posted a formidable total of 298 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 50 overs. The innings was built around a magnificent century from their skipper, Shreyas Iyer. Iyer played a captain's knock, scoring a brilliant 108 runs off 107 deliveries, which included 10 boundaries and 2 sixes. He provided the stability and acceleration needed in the middle overs.
Iyer received valuable support from opener Prithvi Shaw, who contributed a brisk 45 at the top. The lower middle order, including Shivam Dube (32) and Sarfaraz Khan (28), chipped in with crucial runs to ensure Mumbai approached the 300-run mark. For Punjab, the bowling effort was led by Arshdeep Singh and Siddarth Kaul, who picked up two wickets each, but they struggled to contain the flow of runs consistently.
Punjab's Valiant Chase Falls Short
In response, Punjab's chase was spearheaded by their captain, Shubman Gill. Gill played a sublime innings, scoring 112 runs off 103 balls, showcasing his class and fighting spirit. He anchored the innings and kept Punjab's hopes alive with a well-compiled century. However, he lacked substantial partnerships from the other end.
Apart from Abhishek Sharma's 41 and a late cameo from Mandeep Singh (35), the Punjab batting lineup failed to convert starts into big scores. The Mumbai bowling attack, known for its depth, kept taking wickets at regular intervals. Tushar Deshpande was the pick of the bowlers for Mumbai, claiming 3 wickets for 58 runs. Mohit Avasthi and Shams Mulani provided excellent support, taking two wickets apiece to apply constant pressure.
Despite Gill's heroic effort, Punjab's innings eventually folded for 253 runs in 46.3 overs, falling 45 runs short of the target. The Mumbai bowlers displayed great discipline in the death overs to seal the victory.
A Trophy for Mumbai's Dominance
This victory marks Mumbai's fourth Vijay Hazare Trophy title, reinforcing their status as a powerhouse in Indian domestic cricket. The win was a collective team effort, with significant contributions from both the batting and bowling units. For Shreyas Iyer, leading his side to a trophy with a century in the final will be a particularly sweet achievement.
On the other hand, Punjab, led by Shubman Gill, will be disappointed to end up as runners-up despite a fantastic individual century from their skipper. The match served as a high-quality exhibition of 50-over cricket, featuring two of India's finest contemporary batters in Iyer and Gill leading from the front.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 final has concluded, adding another glorious chapter to Mumbai's rich cricketing legacy. The team's all-round performance under pressure in the summit clash proved to be the decisive factor in their triumph.
