In a thrilling display of batting prowess, Shreyas Iyer announced his return to competitive cricket by steering Mumbai to a crucial victory in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26. His captain's knock was the centerpiece of a day that also witnessed monumental centuries from Hyderabad's Aman Rao and Vidarbha's Aman Mokhade, though the latter's effort ended in defeat.
Iyer's Commanding Comeback Seals Mumbai's Quarter-final Berth
Playing his first competitive match since October, Shreyas Iyer led from the front as Mumbai edged past Himachal Pradesh by a narrow seven-run margin in Jaipur. The Group C clash, reduced to 33 overs per side due to dense fog, saw Iyer take charge in the absence of regular captain Shardul Thakur.
The right-handed batsman top-scored with a blistering 82 runs off just 53 balls, smashing 10 fours and three sixes. His innings was built on two critical partnerships: an 82-run stand with Musheer Khan and a 65-run collaboration with the explosive Suryakumar Yadav. Iyer's aggressive intent, particularly against left-arm spinner Kushal Pal, propelled Mumbai to a formidable total of 299 for 9.
Chasing 300, Himachal Pradesh fought valiantly. Pukhraj Mann and Mayank Dagar both scored 64, but Mumbai's bowlers held their nerve in the final overs to restrict the opposition to 292 all out in 32.4 overs, with Shivam Dube claiming 4 for 68. This win guarantees Mumbai's spot in the quarter-finals with one group match remaining.
Aman Rao's Double Century Demolishes Bengal
In a spectacular batting performance in Rajkot, Hyderabad opener Aman Rao single-handedly dismantled the Bengal bowling attack. The right-hander blasted an incredible 200 runs from 154 deliveries, a knock adorned with 12 fours and a staggering 13 sixes.
His monumental effort powered Hyderabad to a massive 352 for 7 in their 50 overs. In reply, Bengal could only manage 245 despite a fighting 108 from Shahbaz Ahmed. The Hyderabad bowling attack, led by India pacer Mohammed Siraj who took 4 for 58, ensured a comprehensive 107-run victory for their side.
Mokhade's Valiant Century in a Losing Cause
Aman Mokhade continued his rich vein of form with a magnificent 147 for Vidarbha, but his heroics were not enough to secure a win against Uttar Pradesh. Facing a daunting target of 340 in Rajkot, Mokhade's 117-ball assault kept Vidarbha in the hunt.
He found support from wicketkeeper Akshay Wadkar, who scored 51. However, once Mokhade was dismissed in the 40th over, the chase fell apart. Vidarbha eventually finished at 285 for 9, losing by 54 runs. For Uttar Pradesh, Kuldeep Yadav was the most successful bowler, taking 3 for 52.
Other Key Results Across Groups
The day saw several other decisive matches. In Group A, Jharkhand chased down 278 with three wickets in hand to defeat Madhya Pradesh. Baroda secured a 76-run win over Assam in Group B, while in Group C, Punjab comfortably beat Goa by six wickets. The most dominant performance came from Gujarat in Group D, who annihilated Odisha by a massive 233 runs.
All eyes will now be on Mumbai's final group match against Punjab on January 8, where Shreyas Iyer will look to build further momentum ahead of the knockout stages.
