Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25: Complete Guide to Teams, Format, Groups, and Live Streaming
The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 is set to begin today, marking the start of India’s domestic 50-over season. Following the successful T20 season, the country’s premier 50-over tournament will feature a range of domestic stars, and all eyes will be on the competition as the Champions Trophy approaches. With international cricketers, rising stars, and experienced campaigners taking center stage, the tournament promises to deliver exciting cricket across various venues in India.
As teams prepare for the challenging format, here’s everything you need to know about the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25, including details on teams, groups, the format, and live streaming.
Teams and Groups: What to Expect in the 2024-25 Season
The Vijay Hazare Trophy will feature 38 teams across five groups: Groups A, B, and C each contain eight teams, while Groups D and E have seven teams. The group stages will be followed by knockout rounds, with the final scheduled for January 19, 2025. Let’s take a look at the teams and how they are divided into groups:
Group A
- Haryana
- Gujarat
- Uttarakhand
- Odisha
- Jharkhand
- Goa
- Assam
- Manipur
Group B
- Rajasthan
- Maharashtra
- Services
- Railways
- Himachal Pradesh
- Andhra
- Meghalaya
- Sikkim
Group C
- Karnataka
- Mumbai
- Hyderabad
- Saurashtra
- Punjab
- Pondicherry
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Nagaland
Group D
- Tamil Nadu
- Vidarbha
- Uttar Pradesh
- Chhattisgarh
- Chandigarh
- Jammu & Kashmir
- Mizoram
Group E
- Bengal
- Kerala
- Tripura
- Madhya Pradesh
- Delhi
- Baroda
- Bihar
Format: How the Tournament Will Unfold
The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 will follow a structured format. Each team will play 50-over matches within their respective groups during the round-robin phase. After the group stages, the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout rounds.
- Knockout Qualification:
- Top 5 teams from each group will qualify directly for the quarterfinals.
- The second-placed teams (ranked 6 to 10) will face off in pre-quarterfinals for a chance to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.
- The sixth-ranked team in each group will also directly move to the quarterfinals.
Knockout Round Dates:
- Pre-quarterfinals: January 9-10, 2025
- Quarterfinals: January 12-13, 2025
- Semifinals: January 16, 2025
- Final: January 19, 2025
All knockout matches will be held at Vadodara.
Key Players to Watch
The Vijay Hazare Trophy is a significant domestic tournament, and many players are expected to make their mark as they fight for spots in the national squad, particularly with the Champions Trophy just around the corner. Some notable exclusions include Sanju Samson, who was omitted from the Kerala squad after missing the team’s training camp, and Prithvi Shaw, who will not feature in Mumbai’s lineup for the first three rounds.
Other prominent players to watch include experienced cricketers like Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Shreyas Iyer, and emerging stars like Shivam Dube and Shivam Mavi.
Live Streaming and Broadcast Information
The group stages of the Vijay Hazare Trophy will not be televised or streamed, meaning fans will need to catch up on results through updates and highlights. However, the knockout rounds will be available for live streaming and television broadcast.
- Live Streaming: Knockout matches will be streamed on JioCinema.
- Television Broadcast: Matches will be broadcast on Sports18.
These live broadcasts will offer fans an in-depth view of the action as teams battle it out for the prestigious title.
How to Stay Updated
For fans eager to follow the action, regular updates, match reports, and statistics will be available on official sports websites and mobile apps. Follow your favorite teams and players to track their progress in the tournament.
Conclusion: A Crucial Domestic Showdown
The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 is set to be a highly competitive tournament that will feature some of the best domestic cricketers vying for glory. As teams from across India gear up to compete, the tournament will serve as a key preparation ground ahead of international commitments, especially with the Champions Trophy on the horizon. The knockout rounds, starting on January 9, 2025, promise to be thrilling, with the final on January 19 set to crown the best team in the country.
With all eyes on Vadodara for the knockout stage, fans can look forward to exciting 50-over cricket and a showcase of India’s top domestic talent.