The Vijay Hazare Trophy is heating up, and we have a blockbuster encounter on our hands. Maharashtra takes on Punjab at the Anantam Ground in Jaipur. Both sides are packed with IPL superstars and domestic heavyweights, making this a contest you simply cannot miss on your fantasy apps. Let’s dive into the match analysis to help you climb that leaderboard.
Match Details
- Match: Maharashtra vs Punjab (Vijay Hazare Trophy)
- Venue: Anantam Ground, Jaipur
- Date & Time: December 24, 2025, 09:00 AM IST
Weather Report
Jaipur in late December offers a crisp winter morning. The temperature is expected to hover around 17°C at the start of play, rising to a comfortable 24°C by the afternoon. There is no chance of rain. The morning chill and humidity might offer some swing to the fast bowlers in the first hour, but as the sun comes out, batting will become significantly easier.
Pitch Report
The Anantam Ground generally provides a balanced surface. However, given the early start, the new ball bowlers will dictate terms initially. Once the moisture settles, the ball comes onto the bat nicely. High scores have been common in recent games here, so expect a score around 280-300 to be par. Spinners might come into play during the middle overs, but this is largely a batter's paradise after the first 10 overs.
Team Form Guide
Maharashtra: They have been in decent touch, with their batting unit clicking well. In recent outings, they chased down totals comfortably and defended well against strong teams like Punjab in previous encounters. Arshin Kulkarni has been a revelation with the bat, consistently scoring big runs.
Punjab: Punjab is arguably one of the most dangerous sides in the tournament. Their batting lineup is explosive, having posted totals like 426 and 424 recently. With Abhishek Sharma and Prabhsimran Singh in top gear, they are a force to reckon with.
Key Players to Watch
The Batting Powerhouses
Abhishek Sharma (Punjab): He is in the form of his life. With a recent score of 170 runs, he is a must have. He also bowls left arm spin, giving you dual value.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra): A class act who anchors the innings. His selection percentage is sky high (92%), and leaving him out is a massive risk in small leagues.
Prabhsimran Singh (Punjab): Another aggressive opener for Punjab who has been smashing centuries, including a recent 150 and 137. He scores quickly, boosting your fantasy points rate.
Arshin Kulkarni (Maharashtra): The young all rounder has been fantastic, scoring a century (107) and a 90 recently. He also bowls medium pace, making him a perfect fantasy asset.
The Bowling Aces
Arshdeep Singh (Punjab): The left arm pacer is a wicket taking machine. He has picked up 3, 4, 4, and 5 wickets in his last few outings. He is essential for the death overs.
Mukesh Choudhary (Maharashtra): He has been the strike bowler for Maharashtra, consistently picking up 2-3 wickets upfront with his swing.
Captaincy & Vice Captaincy Picks
Safe Options:
- Abhishek Sharma: Opens the batting and bowls. The safest captaincy choice.
- Arshdeep Singh: Guaranteed wickets, especially if Punjab bowls first.
Differential Picks:
- Arshin Kulkarni: High ceiling due to his all round abilities.
- Shubman Gill: If he plays, he is a class apart, though recent domestic data is less voluminous compared to others.
Fantasy Strategy Tips
- Top Order Dominance: Both teams rely heavily on their top 3. Stack your batters from the top order.
- Pace is King: In Jaipur, especially in the morning, pacers like Arshdeep and Hangargekar (if he plays) will get movement.
- Chasing Bias: The pitch gets better for batting later in the day. Prefer batters from the chasing team.
Probable Playing XI (Squad Based)
Maharashtra: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prithvi Shaw, Arshin Kulkarni, Ankit Bawne, Nikhil Naik (wk), Siddhesh Veer, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Satyajeet Bachhav, Pradeep Dadhe, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Solanki.
Punjab: Prabhsimran Singh (wk), Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Naman Dhir, Anmolpreet Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Sanvir Singh, Harpreet Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Siddarth Kaul/Gurnoor Brar, Mayank Markande.
Note: Always check the official toss update before finalizing your teams.