Vijay Hazare Trophy: Format, Rules & Winners (2026)

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)

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.