The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 continued to deliver high-quality domestic cricket as Round 5 matches were played across multiple venues on Saturday. From surprising team selections and dominant victories to individual brilliance with the bat, the day offered plenty for cricket fans to follow.
One of the biggest talking points came early in the day when India’s ODI captain Shubman Gill was left out of Punjab’s playing XI for their match against Sikkim. Despite his absence, Punjab produced a ruthless all-round performance, while several other matches across groups witnessed centuries, fiery bowling spells, and crucial partnerships.
Shubman Gill’s Absence Raises Eyebrows
The Jaipur leg of the tournament drew immediate attention after Punjab announced their playing XI without Shubman Gill’s name. Given Gill’s stature in Indian cricket and his recent leadership role with the national side, his omission surprised many.
Punjab skipper Prabhsimran Singh won the toss and elected to field, backing his bowling attack to exploit early conditions. The decision proved spot on, as Punjab’s bowlers delivered a clinical display against Sikkim.
While no official reason was provided for Gill’s absence, sources suggested workload management could be a factor, especially with a busy international calendar ahead.
Punjab Bowlers Run Riot Against Sikkim
Punjab’s bowlers wasted no time asserting dominance. Arshdeep Singh, India’s premier left-arm pacer, led the attack with pace, accuracy, and movement. He consistently troubled the Sikkim batters, picking up wickets at regular intervals.
Arshdeep finished with a five-wicket haul, tearing through the middle order and leaving Sikkim reeling. Support came from the other end as Punjab maintained pressure throughout the innings.
Sikkim were eventually bowled out for just 75 runs in 22.2 overs, never finding momentum and struggling to counter Punjab’s disciplined bowling.
Punjab Chase Down Target in Record Time
Chasing a modest target of 76, Punjab’s openers made quick work of the task. Prabhsimran Singh and Harnoor Singh attacked from the outset, ensuring there were no hiccups.
Prabhsimran played a confident knock of 53 runs, while Harnoor chipped in with 23, as Punjab completed the chase in just 6.2 overs.
Punjab: 81/0 (6.2 overs)
Sikkim: 75 all out (22.2 overs)
Result: Punjab won by 10 wickets
The emphatic victory further strengthened Punjab’s position in the group standings.
Hardik Pandya’s Maiden List A Century Headlines the Day
Away from Jaipur, one of the most memorable moments of Round 5 came courtesy of Hardik Pandya, who registered his first-ever List A century for Baroda against Vidarbha.
Walking in with Baroda under pressure after the fall of several wickets, Hardik played a mature yet explosive innings. Mixing power with placement, he reached his century in just 68 balls, underlining his value as a genuine all-rounder.
Despite Baroda being seven wickets down at one stage, Hardik’s innings swung the momentum back in their favour.
Baroda: 257/7 (44 overs)
Vidarbha: Bowling
His knock was widely praised as one of the finest individual performances of the tournament so far.
Centuries Galore Across Venues
Round 5 witnessed a flurry of big scores, with batters dominating bowling attacks across multiple grounds.
Arshin Kulkarni produced a superb century for Maharashtra against Mumbai, showcasing composure and shot selection.
Former India opener Prithvi Shaw, representing Maharashtra, supported Kulkarni with a fluent 71, sending a strong message to selectors.
Kumar Khushagra struck a century for Jharkhand against Kerala, anchoring the innings under pressure.
Devdutt Padikkal continued his dream run, smashing his fourth century of the tournament for Karnataka, underlining his consistency in the one-day format.
The frequency of centuries highlighted both batting-friendly surfaces and the depth of talent in India’s domestic circuit.
Big Names Step Up Across Matches
Several established names played key roles in their respective matches:
Tilak Varma struck a timely half-century for Hyderabad against Chandigarh, helping his side recover after an early setback.
Abhimanyu Easwaran played a steady knock for Bengal against Assam, holding the innings together after early losses.
Ishan Kishan, leading Jharkhand, walked in after the fall of quick wickets and steadied the innings alongside Kumar Khushagra.
Krunal Pandya joined brother Hardik at the crease for Baroda, as the duo attempted to stabilise the innings.
These performances added further intrigue to an already competitive round.
Arshdeep Singh Continues His Dominant Run
Punjab’s success was built largely on Arshdeep Singh’s outstanding spell. His ability to swing the ball early and maintain discipline made him nearly unplayable for Sikkim.
The five-wicket haul not only sealed the match for Punjab but also reaffirmed Arshdeep’s importance in India’s white-ball setup.
Key Match Developments at a Glance
Jharkhand vs Kerala: Jharkhand lost early wickets before Ishan Kishan and Kumar Khushagra rebuilt the innings.
Hyderabad vs Chandigarh: Tilak Varma’s partnership with Varun helped Hyderabad regain control.
Bengal vs Assam: Bengal recovered from an early setback through Easwaran and Anustup Majumdar.
Baroda vs Vidarbha: The Pandya brothers anchored Baroda’s innings after early collapses.
Toss Trends Reflect Chasing Confidence
A clear trend emerged on the day, with many captains opting to field first:
Punjab chose to field vs Sikkim
Delhi opted to field vs Services
Vidarbha elected to field vs Baroda
Haryana chose to field vs Odisha
The decisions reflected growing confidence in chasing totals under lights and on true surfaces.
Closed-Door Match in Jaipur
In another notable development, no spectators were allowed for the Punjab vs Sikkim fixture at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground. Officials cited security concerns and limited seating capacity as reasons for the decision.
The move mirrored earlier domestic matches involving senior Indian players that were also held behind closed doors.
Packed Schedule Across Groups
Round 5 featured matches across Group A, B, C, D, and the Plate Group, with action spread across Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Rajkot, and Ranchi.
With teams nearing the business end of the group stage, every result now carries added significance.
What’s at Stake Moving Forward
As the Vijay Hazare Trophy progresses, competition for knockout spots is intensifying. Consistent performances from senior players and breakthroughs from young talents are shaping the tournament narrative.
Teams will now look to build momentum, refine combinations, and avoid slip-ups as the league stage enters a crucial phase.
Final Word
Round 5 of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 proved to be another memorable chapter in India’s domestic cricket season. Shubman Gill’s absence created headlines, Punjab’s dominance sent a strong message, and Hardik Pandya’s maiden List A century added a moment of brilliance to an already action-packed day.
With several rounds still to play, fans can expect more drama, standout performances, and fierce competition as India’s premier one-day tournament heads towards its decisive stages.