Cricket in India is usually about the glitz of the IPL or the high stakes of a Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but right now, something much more raw is happening in Bengaluru. The Vijay Hazare Trophy live action has reached its absolute boiling point. If you’ve been following the scores over the last few days, you know exactly what I’m talking about. We are down to the final two.
Vidarbha just knocked out the defending champions, Karnataka. It wasn't even close in the end, with Vidarbha winning by six wickets to book their second consecutive final appearance. Meanwhile, the other side of the bracket is buzzing as Saurashtra and Punjab battle it out for that remaining slot in the title clash.
Honestly, domestic cricket hits different. You see legends like Virat Kohli returning to represent Delhi after 15 years, smashing his way to 16,000 List A runs, and then you see a kid like Aman Mokhade from Vidarbha topping the run charts with over 700 runs. It’s a wild mix.
Watching Vijay Hazare Trophy Live: No More Guesswork
For the longest time, following domestic games was basically a chore. You’d refresh a scorecard on a buggy website and hope for the best. This year, the BCCI actually stepped up.
The knockout matches are being broadcast and streamed properly. If you want to catch the Vijay Hazare Trophy live, your best bet is the JioHotstar app. They’ve got the streaming rights for the business end of the tournament. For those who still prefer the big screen with actual commentary, Star Sports is airing the semifinals and the grand final.
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The final itself is scheduled for January 18, 2026. Mark that date. It’s going to be a day-night affair at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) Ground 1 in Bengaluru. Starting at 1:30 PM IST, it’s basically the ultimate Sunday plan for any real cricket nerd.
The Stars Who Showed Up (And Those Who Didn't)
The BCCI mandate was pretty clear this time: play domestic or explain why. That’s why we saw Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli actually taking the field for their states. Kohli’s comeback for Delhi was the talk of the town, especially that fluent 58* against Andhra where he reached the 16k mark.
But it’s not just about the big guns. Look at these names:
- Rinku Singh: Leading Uttar Pradesh and finishing the group stage unbeaten. He’s been striking at over 135. Pure chaos.
- Devdutt Padikkal: He’s been a machine for Karnataka, racking up 640 runs before they got ousted in the semis.
- Aman Mokhade: The engine room of Vidarbha’s batting. 781 runs. That is a massive statement.
- Zeeshan Ansari: The UP leg-spinner who topped the wicket-taking charts with 21 scalps.
Why Vidarbha Is the Team to Beat
Most people expected a Mumbai or a Karnataka to just steamroll their way to the trophy. But Vidarbha has this weird, stubborn consistency. They don’t rely on one superstar. Instead, they have guys like Yash Rathod and Atharva Taide who just know how to grind out a win.
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When they faced Karnataka in the first semi-final on January 15, they looked like a team possessed. They chased down the target with six wickets to spare, effectively ending Karnataka's dreams of a back-to-back title. It’s their second final in a row. They’ve got that "unfinished business" vibe going on.
The Bengaluru Factor
All the knockout games moved to Bengaluru for a reason. The facilities at the new BCCI Centre of Excellence are world-class. However, the weather in January can be a bit tricky. We already saw the VJD method (the domestic version of DLS) come into play during the quarter-finals when Saurashtra beat Uttar Pradesh.
If you are tracking the Vijay Hazare Trophy live scores, always keep an eye on the sky. A 20-minute drizzle in Bengaluru can completely flip the script of a 50-over game.
The Road to the 2026 Final
It’s been a long road from December 24. Thirty-eight teams started this journey. We had the Elite groups and the Plate group. Bihar already took home the Plate Group trophy, but the Elite title is the one everyone craves.
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The quarter-finals were a bloodbath.
- Karnataka vs Mumbai: A classic rivalry where Karnataka pipped Mumbai by 55 runs (VJD method).
- Punjab vs Madhya Pradesh: Punjab's bowlers were absolutely ruthless, ending Rajat Patidar’s MP campaign.
- Vidarbha vs Delhi: Vidarbha crushed Delhi, making Rishabh Pant's captaincy stint a short-lived one in this tournament.
- Saurashtra vs UP: A heartbreak for Rinku Singh as Saurashtra edged them out by 17 runs.
Now, we are staring at a final on January 18. Whether it’s Vidarbha vs Punjab or Vidarbha vs Saurashtra, the intensity will be through the roof.
What You Should Do Now
If you’ve missed the league stages, don't worry. The real "must-watch" cricket is happening now.
- Check the Streaming: Open your JioHotstar app and search for "Vijay Hazare Trophy." They have full replays of the quarter-finals if you want to see how Vidarbha dismantled Delhi.
- Follow Live Scores: If you're at work, keep the BCCI.tv live match center open. It’s significantly faster than most third-party apps for domestic ball-by-ball updates.
- Watch the Final: Clear your schedule for Sunday afternoon. A day-night final in Bengaluru under lights is as good as List A cricket gets.
The tournament is almost over, but the impact these performances have on the upcoming IPL season and national selection is huge. Keep your eyes on the young performers; you’re looking at the next generation of the Indian middle order.
Actionable Insight: Set a reminder for January 18, 1:30 PM IST. The Vijay Hazare Trophy final is a day-night match, and given the form of the finalists, it's likely to go down to the final ten overs.