Haryana vs Railways Match Preview – Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26

Date: December 24, 2025
Time (GMT): 3:30 AM
Venue: KSCA Cricket 3 Ground, Alur

Match Overview

The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 gets underway on December 24 with a host of high-stakes matches across multiple venues. One of the standout early fixtures is the encounter between Haryana and Railways at the KSCA Cricket 3 Ground, Alur. Both teams come into the match with a mix of experience and youth, and their performance in this opening game could set the tone for the rest of the group stage.

Team Analysis

Haryana

Haryana, a consistent performer in domestic cricket, has a strong batting line-up and a well-balanced bowling attack. The team is led by a mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents. Key players to watch include:

• Deepak Hooda – A reliable middle-order batsman with a good strike rate in white-ball cricket.
• Mohammad Azharuddin Jr. – A promising all-rounder with the ability to contribute with both bat and ball.
• Rahul Chahar – A spin bowling threat who has been effective in domestic limited-overs.

Haryana will be looking to start their campaign on a high note, especially with the home advantage at Alur, a venue that has historically favored batsmen.

Railways

Railways, though not as dominant as Haryana in recent editions, has shown flashes of brilliance and has a solid squad with good depth. The team has the potential to upset the odds if their key players step up.

• Rishabh Pant – The Delhi Capitals star will be a big draw for Railways. His explosive batting and wicketkeeping skills could be game-changing.
• Prithvi Shaw – Another Delhi-based talent, Shaw has the ability to score quickly and anchor the innings.
• Siddarth Kaul – A seasoned pacer with a good record in domestic cricket, he could be crucial in breaking partnerships.

Railways will be aiming to capitalize on the early momentum and make a strong impression in their opening match.

Venue Conditions

KSCA Cricket 3 Ground, Alur is known for its flat and true surface, which favors aggressive batting and high-scoring games. The conditions are likely to suit Haryana’s strengths, but Railways will rely on their top-order to counter the spin threat and set a competitive total.

Head-to-Head Record

Haryana and Railways have met in several domestic fixtures over the years, with Haryana generally holding the upper hand. However, Railways have been competitive in recent encounters, especially when backed by strong batting performances.

Prediction

This match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams having the firepower to post big totals. Haryana’s experience and home advantage may give them a slight edge, but Railways’ star power, particularly with Rishabh Pant in the mix, could make the difference.

Prediction:
Haryana to win by 5-10 runs.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Rishabh Pant (Railways) vs Rahul Chahar (Haryana) – Pant’s ability to accelerate could counter Chahar’s spin.
• Deepak Hooda (Haryana) vs Siddarth Kaul (Railways) – Hooda’s patience against seam could test Kaul’s accuracy.
• Mohammad Azharuddin Jr. (Haryana) vs Prithvi Shaw (Railways) – A battle of all-rounders in the middle overs.

Broadcast and Live Streaming

The match will be live streamed on JioHotstar and WB Suite, with Star Sports broadcasting selected matches. Fans can catch all the action in real-time as the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 kicks off with this exciting clash between Haryana and Railways.
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