Kerala vs Madhya Pradesh: Vijay Hazare Trophy Match Preview – 29 December 2025

Date & Time: Monday, 29 December 2025 | 03:30 GMT (09:00 AM IST)
Venue: [TBD – Based on tournament fixtures]
Tournament: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025

Match Overview

The Vijay Hazare Trophy continues with an intriguing clash between Kerala and Madhya Pradesh on 29 December 2025. This 50-over encounter promises to be a tactical battle between two teams with contrasting strengths and strategies. Both sides come into the match with strong squads and a desire to secure a crucial win in the group stage.

The toss will play a pivotal role in this match, as the pitch is expected to behave in a traditional manner—favoring batters in the early overs but offering assistance to bowlers as it hardens. With overcast conditions and a temperature of around 24°C, swing and seam bowlers could also benefit, especially in the first 15-20 overs.

Team Analysis

Kerala (KER)

Kerala enters the match with a balanced squad and a solid batting line-up. The team has a clear strategy of relying heavily on their top-order batters and death-over specialists. Key players to watch out for include:

• Ankit Sharma – A consistent performer with a high point tally (881 points), he is expected to be a key contributor with the bat.
• Baba Aparajith – A dependable opener with a sound technique, Aparajith has the ability to anchor the innings.
• Biju Narayanan – The death-over specialist with a knack for taking wickets in the final overs, making him a crucial asset.

Kerala’s strength lies in their disciplined bowling attack, particularly in the death overs. With players like Salman Nizar and Rohan Kunnummel in good form, the team is well-equipped to chase or defend.

Madhya Pradesh (MP)

Madhya Pradesh is a well-rounded side that has shown improvement in recent matches. Their batting is led by experienced campaigners, and their bowling attack has the potential to trouble even the best batters.

• Mangesh Yadav – A standout performer with a point tally of 912, he is one of the most dangerous batsmen in the tournament.
• Yash Dubey – A consistent run-scorer, Dubey can be a match-winner with the bat and a reliable option with the ball.
• Aryan Pandey and Rahul Batham – These two death-over bowlers are lethal in the final overs and could be the difference-makers in tight matches.

MP also has a strong middle order that can accelerate the innings, making them a dangerous side in the second half of the 50 overs.

Head-to-Head Record

Kerala holds a slight historical advantage over Madhya Pradesh in their previous encounters. However, with both teams having strong squads and current form, this match is expected to be a close contest.

Player Form & Selection Tips

• Captaincy Picks:
  • Kerala: Ankit Sharma or Baba Aparajith
  • Madhya Pradesh: Mangesh Yadav or Yash Dubey
• Vice-Captaincy Picks:
  • Kerala: Biju Narayanan or Salman Nizar
  • Madhya Pradesh: Rishabh Chouhan or Rahul Batham

Fantasy players should consider including death-over bowlers from both sides, as the final 10 overs are likely to be the turning point in this match.

Weather & Pitch Conditions

• Weather: Overcast skies, with a temperature of around 24°C. Ideal conditions for early swing and seam movement.
• Pitch: Expected to be a batting-friendly surface in the initial overs, but it is likely to slow down and offer assistance to spinners and seamers as the game progresses.

Injury Updates

As of now, there are no injury updates for either team. Both Kerala and Madhya Pradesh are expected to field their full-strength squads.

Match Prediction

This match is expected to be a closely contested affair. However, Kerala has the slight edge due to their balanced squad, strong death-over bowlers, and recent form. The key will be for Kerala to capitalize on early wickets and build a commanding total or a chase that MP will find difficult to defend.

Prediction: Kerala by 5-10 runs

How to Watch

• Live Streaming: Cricbuzz, ESPNcricinfo
• Fantasy Tips: Check Dream11 or Possible11 for team selection and captaincy advice.

Conclusion

The Kerala vs Madhya Pradesh clash in the Vijay Hazare Trophy is a must-watch for cricket fans. With both teams having quality players and a well-rounded approach, this match could set the tone for the rest of the tournament. Fantasy enthusiasts and fans alike are in for a treat as they witness the battle between two evenly matched sides.

Stay tuned for live updates and commentary as the action unfolds on 29 December 2025.
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