Jharkhand vs Karnataka – Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 Match Preview

Date: December 24, 2025
Time: 03:30 AM GMT (09:00 AM IST)
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium B Ground, Ahmedabad
Format: 50-over List A cricket
Tournament: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 – Elite Group A
Group: Elite Group A
Live Telecast: Star Sports Network | Live Streaming: JioHotstar & BCCI Digital Platforms

Match Context

The Jharkhand vs Karnataka clash marks one of the key early fixtures of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. Both teams are placed in Elite Group A, with Karnataka coming into the tournament as the defending champions after clinching the title in the 2023-24 edition. Jharkhand, on the other hand, is eager to make a strong start in their campaign and prove themselves as a competitive force in the group.

This match will be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium B Ground in Ahmedabad, a venue that has hosted several high-stakes domestic fixtures in recent years. The pitch is generally well-balanced, offering good batting conditions, but the pace of the outfield and the ability to extract reverse swing could play a pivotal role in the outcome.

Team Analysis

Jharkhand

Jharkhand has shown promise in recent domestic tournaments, particularly in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Their strength lies in their aggressive batting lineup and dynamic pace attack. Key players to watch include:

• Rahul Tripathy – A consistent run-scorer in the 50-over format, known for his solid technique and ability to anchor the innings.
• Shashank Singh – A versatile all-rounder who contributes significantly with both bat and ball.
• Naman Jain – One of the most reliable pacers in domestic cricket, capable of picking crucial wickets under pressure.

Jharkhand will aim to capitalize on any early wickets and accelerate the scoring rate, especially with their lower-order finishers who are adept at taking the game deep.

Karnataka

As the defending champions, Karnataka will be under pressure to start their campaign on a strong note. They have a balanced squad with a mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talents. Key players include:

• Rajat Patidar – The captain and top-order mainstay, known for his aggressive strokeplay and ability to convert starts into big scores.
• Shimron Hetmyer – A powerful middle-order batsman with a high strike rate and excellent fielding skills.
• Rajesh Pawar – A consistent seamer who has performed well in domestic limited-overs cricket.

Karnataka’s strength lies in their depth of bowling options and the ability of their batsmen to chase down challenging totals. They will look to post a competitive total and then enforce a disciplined bowling performance to restrict Jharkhand.

Head-to-Head and Recent Form

Jharkhand and Karnataka have faced each other in several domestic encounters, with Karnataka holding a slight edge in recent years. However, Jharkhand has been on an upward trajectory and has shown the ability to compete against top-tier teams.

In the 2023-24 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Karnataka reached the final and defeated Maharashtra in the final at Bengaluru. They have a well-rounded squad and are expected to be among the title contenders once again.

Jharkhand, while not as consistent, has the potential to cause an upset if their key players deliver in the right conditions. Their pace attack could trouble the Karnataka batsmen, especially if the ball seams or swings.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

The pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium B Ground is expected to be a flat, batting-friendly surface, with the outfield likely to assist the fielding side in the initial overs. The weather in Ahmedabad during December is usually pleasant, with minimal chances of rain, ensuring a full 50-over game.

Key Battle Areas

• Opening Partnership: Karnataka’s openers (Rajat Patidar and Hetmyer) vs Jharkhand’s Rahul Tripathy and Shashank Singh.
• Middle-Order Clash: Jharkhand’s lower-order finishers vs Karnataka’s Shimron Hetmyer and Ajay-Devarayan.
• Bowling Depth: Karnataka’s experienced seamers (Rajesh Pawar, Prashanth Kamble) vs Jharkhand’s pace duo (Naman Jain, Aman Khan).

Prediction

This is a highly competitive match with both teams having the potential to win. However, Karnataka’s experience and depth give them a slight edge, especially on a batting-friendly pitch. A total in the 280s could be the target, with the result likely hinging on the quality of bowling and fielding in the middle overs.

Prediction: Karnataka to win by 8-10 runs

Conclusion

The Jharkhand vs Karnataka encounter promises to be an exciting start to the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. Both teams have the quality to make a mark in the tournament, and this match will set the tone for their campaigns. Fans can expect a high-scoring contest with plenty of action from both ends. Stay tuned for live updates and commentary from Ahmedabad!

Tune in at 03:30 AM GMT on December 24, 2025, for what could be a thrilling start to the tournament.
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