Delhi vs Gujarat Vijay Hazare Trophy Match Preview – 26 December 2025 (03:30 GMT)

Venue: BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1, Bengaluru
Time (GMT): 03:30
Time (IST): 08:30
Series: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26
Format: 50 Overs
Toss: TBA

Match Context

The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 is off to a historic start, with the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to the domestic circuit. This match between Delhi and Gujarat on 26 December 2025 is a crucial early fixture for both teams, as they aim to make a strong start in the tournament.

Delhi, led by the presence of Virat Kohli, will look to capitalize on his leadership and batting prowess, while Gujarat will rely on a balanced lineup that includes experienced campaigners and promising young talent.

Team Analysis

Delhi – The Stars of the North

Delhi's squad is bolstered by the return of Virat Kohli, who is making his Vijay Hazare return after 15 years. Alongside him, Nitish Rana and Rishabh Pant form a formidable middle order, while Priyansh Arya has been in excellent form with the bat in recent domestic seasons.

The bowling attack, led by Ishant Sharma, will aim to provide early breakthroughs, while Simarjeet Singh and Rohan Rana are expected to play key roles with the ball.

Key Players:

• Virat Kohli (Captain)
• Nitish Rana
• Rishabh Pant
• Ishant Sharma
• Priyansh Arya

Strengths: Strong batting line-up, experienced captaincy, and a well-balanced bowling attack.

Gujarat – The Rising Force

Gujarat, while lacking a global superstar in this setup, boasts a well-rounded team with a solid balance between batting and bowling. Jaymeet Patel is expected to lead the batting charge, while Siddharth Desai and Chintan Gaja offer all-round contributions.

The pace attack, led by Arzan Nagwaswalla, has been effective in recent domestic fixtures, and Aarya Desai is a promising talent to watch.

Key Players:

• Jaymeet Patel (Captain)
• Siddharth Desai
• Chintan Gaja
• Arzan Nagwaswalla
• Aarya Desai

Strengths: Balanced squad, strong middle-order, and a potent pace attack.

Head-to-Head & Recent Form

While the two teams have met in several domestic fixtures over the years, the match-up in this edition of the Vijay Hazare Trophy is particularly intriguing due to Delhi's star power and Gujarat's consistency in the 50-over format.

Delhi’s recent form has been solid, with their batsmen adapting well to different conditions. However, Gujarat has shown resilience in tight matches and could pose a challenge if they get the momentum early.

Pitch & Weather Forecast

The BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 1 in Bengaluru typically offers a balanced pitch that assists both batters and bowlers. With the weather expected to remain pleasant and dry, both teams will have a fair opportunity to play their game.

Expected Pitch Behavior:

• Moderate assistance for seam and spin
• True bounce and carry
• Slight assistance for spinners in the latter stages

Fantasy Cricket Insights

Dream11 Captain & Vice-Captain:

• Captain: Virat Kohli (Delhi)
• Vice-Captain: Jaymeet Patel (Gujarat)

Must-Picks (Small League):

• Delhi: Virat Kohli, Priyansh Arya, Rishabh Pant
• Gujarat: Jaymeet Patel, Siddharth Desai, Chintan Gaja

Risky Picks (Grand League):

• Delhi: Simarjeet Singh, Rohan Rana
• Gujarat: Japagnya Bhatt, Amit Desai

Wicketkeeper: Rishabh Pant (Delhi)

All-Rounders: Chintan Gaja (Gujarat), Siddharth Desai (Gujarat)

Injuries & Availability

As of the latest update, no injuries have been reported for either team. All key players are expected to be available for selection.

Prediction

Delhi, with the return of Virat Kohli and a strong batting lineup, are slight favorites in this encounter. However, Gujarat’s balanced squad and recent form could make this a closely contested match, especially if the bowlers strike early.

Expected Margin: Delhi by 10-15 runs

Live Streaming & Coverage

• Live Scores: Cricbuzz, ESPNcricinfo
• Live Streaming: Hotstar, SonyLIV
• Fantasy Tips: Possible11.com

Conclusion

The Delhi vs Gujarat match on 26 December 2025 promises to be an exciting start to the Vijay Hazare Trophy. With Virat Kohli in the mix, Delhi carries a slight edge, but Gujarat is more than capable of challenging the odds. Fans can expect a competitive encounter with high stakes and plenty of cricketing action.

Stay tuned for the toss and the action from Bengaluru.

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