In a thrilling semi-final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite 2025-26, Saurashtra faces Punjab at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on January 16, 2026. The match marks an important clash as each team aims for a spot in the final.
Saurashtra’s Path to the Semi-Finals
Saurashtra, led by Harvik Desai, narrowly defeated Uttar Pradesh by 17 runs in a rain-affected quarter-final using the VJD method. Meanwhile, Punjab, captained by Prabhsimran Singh, secured a dominating victory over Madhya Pradesh, winning by 183 runs.
Match Overview
The winner of this semi-final will compete against Vidarbha, who triumphed over the defending champions, Karnataka, to reach the final. The teams are keenly aware that every performance counts in this high-stakes game.
Match Progression
The match began with Saurashtra opting to field first after winning the toss. Punjab faced an initial challenge but gradually built their innings. With scores logged at:
- Punjab: 19/0 after 6 overs
- Punjab: 63/1 after 13 overs
- Punjab: 146/1 after 27 overs
- Punjab: 185/2 after 33 overs
- Punjab: 241/4 after 44 overs
Pennning Down Key Performances
Prabhsimran Singh emerged as a crucial player for Punjab, delivering a solid performance with 87 runs off 89 balls. Anmolpreet Singh supported him well, scoring a vital 100 before a collapse left Punjab all out for 291 runs.
Ramandeep Singh contributed 42 runs in the lower order, but the rest of the batting lineup failed to make significant scores, causing Punjab to miss the expected 300-run mark.
Chasing the Total
Now, Saurashtra must tackle the target of 292 runs. The team, led by captain Harvik Desai, is expected to deliver a strong batting display to chase down the score. The ongoing match is a test of both skill and strategy as they prepare for a thrilling second innings.
Key Players and Summary
- Punjab:
- Prabhsimran Singh: 87 runs
- Anmolpreet Singh: 100 runs
- Ramandeep Singh: 42 runs
- Saurashtra: Look for Harvik Desai and Vishvaraj Jadeja to lead the chase.
The outcome of this semi-final not only determines who reaches the final but also showcases the intense competition within India’s premier domestic cricket tournament.
