Vijay Hazare Trophy: Format, Rules & Winners (2026)
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What Is the Vijay Hazare Trophy?
The Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) is India's premier domestic List A (50-over) cricket tournament, organized by the BCCI. Named after the legendary Indian batsman Vijay Hazare — who scored India's first-ever Test triple century — the tournament serves as the domestic equivalent of ODI cricket.
Key facts:
- Format: List A (50 overs per side)
- First edition: 2002–03
- Teams: 38 state/regional cricket associations
- Significance: Scouting ground for ODI and IPL talent
- Most titles: Karnataka (4 titles)
Tournament Format
Phase 1: Group Stage
38 teams are divided into 5 groups (same structure as SMAT and Ranji Trophy):
| Group | Teams | Matches per Team |
|---|---|---|
| Elite A | 8 teams | 7 matches |
| Elite B | 8 teams | 7 matches |
| Elite C | 8 teams | 7 matches |
| Elite D | 8 teams | 7 matches |
| Plate | 6 teams | 5 matches |
Phase 2: Knockout Stage
- Top 2 from each Elite group (8 teams) + Plate winner = 9 qualified teams
- Best-performing team gets a direct semifinal berth
- Quarter-finals → Semi-finals → Final
Points System
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Win | 4 points |
| Tie / No result | 2 points each |
| Loss | 0 points |
| Bonus point (win with RR 1.25x the opposition) | 1 additional point |
Tiebreaker: Net Run Rate (NRR), then head-to-head, then number of wins.
Match Rules
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Overs per innings | 50 |
| Powerplay 1 | Overs 1–10 (mandatory, 2 fielders outside circle) |
| Powerplay 2 | Overs 11–40 (4 fielders outside circle) |
| Powerplay 3 | Overs 41–50 (5 fielders outside circle) |
| DLS method | Applied in rain-affected matches |
| New ball | Available after 34 overs |
| DRS | Available in knockout matches only |
| Over rate | Teams must complete 50 overs in allocated time |
Why VHT Matters for Player Development
The 50-Over Gap
While the IPL and SMAT develop T20 skills, India still plays ODIs including the Champions Trophy and World Cup. The VHT is the only domestic tournament that prepares players for 50-over cricket — building innings, rotating strike, and bowling longer spells.
IPL Auction Performances
Big VHT performances often translate directly to IPL auction bids:
| Player | VHT Performance | IPL Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Ruturaj Gaikwad | 660 runs in VHT 2022–23 | CSK captain 2024+ |
| Devdutt Padikkal | 580+ runs, VHT 2019–20 | RCB breakthrough, now LSG |
| Prithvi Shaw | 227 in one innings (record) | Delhi Capitals, MI |
| Ravi Bishnoi | 12 wickets, VHT 2020–21 | ₹4 crore IPL contract |
Records
| Record | Holder | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Highest individual score | 277 | Prithvi Shaw (Mumbai vs Puducherry, 2020–21) |
| Highest team total | 457/4 | Mumbai vs Puducherry (2020–21) |
| Best bowling figures | 8/19 | Rajat Bhatia (UP vs Services, 2012–13) |
| Most runs in a season | 779 | Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra, 2022–23) |
| Most centuries in a season | 5 | Ruturaj Gaikwad (2022–23) |
| Fastest century | — | Various records across editions |
Recent Winners
| Season | Winner | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Karnataka | Baroda |
| 2022–23 | Saurashtra | Maharashtra |
| 2021–22 | Saurashtra | Maharashtra |
| 2020–21 | Mumbai | Uttar Pradesh |
| 2019–20 | Karnataka | Tamil Nadu |
| 2018–19 | Vidarbha | Kerala |
VHT vs Other Domestic Tournaments
| Feature | VHT | Ranji Trophy | SMAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | 50 overs | First-class (4/5 day) | T20 |
| Primary skill | ODI cricket | Test cricket | T20 cricket |
| Duration | 3–4 weeks | 5 months | 3 weeks |
| Ball used | White ball | Red ball | White ball |
| Broadcast | JioCinema | JioCinema + Star | JioCinema + Star |
| Prize money | ₹2.5 crore | ₹2.5 crore | ₹2.5 crore |
How to Watch
- JioCinema — Live streaming of all matches (free)
- Star Sports — Selected knockout matches on TV
- BCCI.tv — Scorecards and highlights
- ESPNcricinfo / Cricbuzz — Ball-by-ball text commentary
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vijay Hazare Trophy in cricket?
The Vijay Hazare Trophy is India's premier domestic 50-over (List A) cricket tournament, organized by the BCCI. It is the domestic equivalent of ODI cricket and is named after legendary Indian batsman Vijay Hazare, who scored India's first Test triple century. All 38 state and institutional cricket teams participate.
How many overs are in the Vijay Hazare Trophy?
Each team gets 50 overs per innings, following the same format as ODI cricket. Matches last approximately 7–8 hours. DLS method applies in rain-affected matches to calculate revised targets.
Who has won the most Vijay Hazare trophies?
Karnataka holds the record with 4 titles. They are one of the strongest domestic limited-overs teams in India. Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, and Saurashtra also have multiple titles.
When is the Vijay Hazare Trophy played?
The VHT is typically played in September–October, before the IPL season. It fills the domestic calendar between the end of international home series and the start of the Ranji Trophy season. BCCI announces the exact schedule annually.
Can I attend Vijay Hazare Trophy matches?
Most VHT group stage matches have free entry — they're played at state cricket grounds and academies. Knockout matches at larger venues may require tickets but are usually very affordable (₹50–200). It's a great way to watch emerging talent up close.
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Aisha Patel
Expert in: Domestic CricketCricket analyst and content writer at CricJosh, covering Domestic Cricket with 4 articles published.
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