Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26: Punjab and Vidarbha Storm into Semi-Finals

The knockout stage matches in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 have reached a critical point, and the outcome in the quarter-finals has left no room for doubt about the semi-finals. In the third and fourth quarter-finals in the tournament, Punjab and Vidarbha scored resounding wins over their opponents to qualify for the semi-finals. Punjab thrashed Madhya Pradesh by a huge margin of 183 runs in the third quarter-final, and Vidarbha overcame Delhi by a significant margin of 76 runs in the fourth quarter-final. Vidarbha would lock horns with Karnataka in the first semi-final match, which would take place on the 15th of January, while Punjab would face Saurashtra in the second semi-final match, which would take place on the 16th.

In the third quarter-final, Punjab performed very well in every aspect against Madhya Pradesh and dominated the entire match. Batting first, Punjab set a formidable target of 345 runs after playing the full fifty overs. Opener Prabhsimran Singh played a brilliant innings of 88 runs off 86 balls, earning him the Man of the Match award.

Anmolpreet Singh (70 runs) and Nehal Wadhera (56 runs) also scored half-centuries. In response, Madhya Pradesh appeared under pressure, losing wickets at regular intervals. The team was all out for 162 runs in 31.2 overs, giving Punjab a commanding victory of 183 runs. Sanvir Singh took three wickets for Punjab.