In a dramatic turn of events in Jaipur, the Mumbai cricket team suffered a stunning batting collapse in their final Vijay Hazare Trophy group stage match against Punjab on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Chasing a modest target of 217, Mumbai lost their last five wickets for a mere 14 runs, bowled out for 215. This defeat cost them the top spot in Group C and sets up a blockbuster quarterfinal clash against arch-rivals Karnataka.
The Dramatic Mumbai Meltdown
Mumbai's chase of Punjab's 216 seemed well on course, especially after a blistering start. The innings was ignited by Sarfaraz Khan, who scored the fastest List A fifty by an Indian, reaching the milestone in just 15 deliveries. Batting at number three, Sarfaraz smashed 62 runs off only 20 balls, an innings peppered with seven boundaries and five sixes. Captain Shreyas Iyer provided solid support with a quickfire 45 off 34 deliveries.
However, the game turned on its head with the dismissal of Iyer. From a seemingly comfortable position of 201 for 5, the Mumbai innings imploded. The Punjab spin trio of Mayank Markande, Harpreet Brar, and Haroon Singh orchestrated the collapse, wrapping up the tail as Mumbai were dismissed in just 26.2 overs. Earlier, Punjab's total of 216 was built on a 74-ball 72 from Ramandeep Singh and 57 from Anmolpreet Singh.
Quarterfinal Consequences and Other Group Highlights
The result had significant ramifications for the knockout stage. Punjab secured the top spot in Group C and will now face Madhya Pradesh in the quarterfinals. Mumbai, finishing second, are now destined for a high-voltage clash against Karnataka in Bengaluru on January 12. This knockout match will be a major challenge for Mumbai, who will be without key players Shardul Thakur (ruled out) and Shreyas Iyer, who is set to join the Indian ODI squad for the series against New Zealand.
In other Group C action, Ruturaj Gaikwad, recently dropped from the Indian team, played a captain's knock for Maharashtra. Coming in at 16 for 4, he scored a magnificent 134 off 131 balls, guiding his team to 249 for 7. Maharashtra's bowlers, led by Prashant Solanki (4/56), defended the total successfully.
In Group A, Madhya Pradesh boosted their net run-rate with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Karnataka, powered by Venkatesh Iyer's unbeaten 65. Kerala's loss to Tamil Nadu, despite a strong start, confirmed MP's progression. In Group B, Vidarbha pipped Baroda on net run-rate to advance with Uttar Pradesh. Group D qualifiers were Delhi and Saurashtra.
The Road to the Trophy
The quarterfinal lineup for the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 is now confirmed, promising several exciting contests. The fixtures are: Uttar Pradesh vs Saurashtra, Karnataka vs Mumbai, Delhi vs Vidarbha, and Punjab vs Madhya Pradesh. All eyes will be on the high-profile clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where Mumbai will aim to redeem themselves after their Jaipur collapse against a formidable Karnataka side.
