High-Stakes Knockouts Begin in Vijay Hazare Trophy
The knockout stage of the prestigious Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 commenced on Monday, December 12, with two blockbuster quarterfinal clashes at the Centre of Excellence. The day featured a heavyweight battle between domestic giants Mumbai and Karnataka, followed by an encounter between an unbeaten Uttar Pradesh and a resurgent Saurashtra.
Padikkal and Sarfaraz: The Batting Powerhouses
All eyes were on two in-form batters, Devdutt Padikkal of Karnataka and Mumbai's Sarfaraz Khan, both of whom are making strong cases for national selection. Devdutt Padikkal entered the match as the tournament's leading run-scorer, amassing a staggering 640 runs from just seven innings. His tally includes four centuries and a fifty, showcasing remarkable consistency. A strong performance in the knockouts could make him hard to ignore for selectors, especially with planning for the 2027 ODI World Cup on the horizon.
On the other side, Sarfaraz Khan has brilliantly translated his explosive T20 form into the 50-over arena. In Mumbai's final league match against Punjab, he blasted the fastest fifty by an Indian in men's List A cricket. Although that game was a surprise defeat for Mumbai, Sarfaraz's knock served as a potent reminder of his match-winning abilities in white-ball cricket.
Uttar Pradesh Favourites Despite Jurel's Absence
In the second quarterfinal, Uttar Pradesh started as clear favourites, having completed the league stage as the only unbeaten team across all four groups. However, they suffered a significant setback just before the knockout. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who was in sensational touch with 558 runs in seven league innings, was called up to the Indian ODI squad as a replacement for the injured Rishabh Pant. His absence leaves a major void in the UP batting lineup.
Their opponents, Saurashtra, found form at the perfect time. After losing two of their first three matches, they rallied to win their final four league games and secure a quarterfinal berth. Their batting unit has clicked, and pacer Chetan Sakariya has found a good rhythm heading into the crucial clash.
Early Action: UP Stumble After Jurel Exit
The live action saw an immediate impact from Saurashtra's bowler. Chetan Sakariya struck early, dismissing Uttar Pradesh's wicketkeeper-batter Aryan Juyal for a duck via LBW. This left UP at 20/1 in the 5th over, providing Saurashtra with the ideal start and underscoring the challenge UP faces in the absence of their star performer, Jurel.
Meanwhile, the clash between Mumbai and Karnataka promised a thrilling contest between two sides laden with talent. Karnataka's only group-stage loss came in their final league game on January 8, but they backed themselves to raise their game for the high-pressure knockout.
The outcomes of these quarterfinals will not only decide which teams advance to the semi-finals but could also have a significant bearing on the future international careers of several standout performers, with national selectors closely monitoring the performances.
