In a disappointing start to their Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025 campaign, the Delhi cricket team, featuring star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, suffered a heavy defeat. They were comprehensively beaten by Odisha by a massive margin of nine wickets in their opening Group E encounter at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on Tuesday, December 31.
Delhi's Batting Collapse Led by Pant's Early Exit
The match was largely decided in the first innings after Delhi captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and chose to bat. The decision backfired spectacularly as the Delhi batting lineup crumbled under pressure. The biggest blow came early when Rishabh Pant himself was dismissed for a low score. The left-hander, playing his first competitive 50-over match since his return from injury, could only manage to score 15 runs off 21 deliveries before being sent back to the pavilion.
Pant's dismissal triggered a major collapse. None of the other Delhi batters could build a substantial innings or form a stabilizing partnership. The team kept losing wickets at regular intervals, failing to gain any momentum throughout their allotted 50 overs. In the end, Delhi was bundled out for a paltry total of just 135 runs. The Odisha bowling attack, led by Rajesh Mohanty and Debabrata Pradhan, shared the spoils effectively, exploiting the favourable conditions and Delhi's fragile batting.
Odisha's Commanding Chase Seals Dominant Victory
Chasing a modest target of 136, the Odisha openers approached the innings with confidence and aggression. They made the Delhi bowling attack look ordinary, finding boundaries with ease and rotating the strike efficiently. The opening pair built a formidable partnership that took the game completely away from Delhi.
Odisha reached the target in a mere 20.5 overs, losing only one wicket in the process. This emphatic chase highlighted the gulf in performance between the two sides on the day. The comprehensive nature of the victory—by nine wickets with a massive 175 balls remaining—underscored Odisha's dominance and Delhi's all-round failure.
Implications for Delhi and Pant's Comeback Trail
This heavy loss is a significant setback for the Delhi team in the prestigious domestic 50-over tournament. For Rishabh Pant, the match was a crucial step in his journey back to full fitness and form for the Indian national team. While his keeping was not heavily tested due to Odisha's swift chase, his early dismissal with the bat will be a point of concern. The performance puts immediate pressure on the Delhi squad to bounce back strongly in their upcoming group matches.
The Vijay Hazare Trophy serves as a vital platform for players to stake their claim for national selection. Pant's participation is closely watched by selectors and fans alike as he aims to prove his match readiness. This defeat serves as a stark reminder of the challenges of returning to top-level cricket after a long layoff. Delhi will need to regroup quickly, address their batting frailties, and hope their captain finds his rhythm as the tournament progresses.
