3rd Quarter Final! Punjab vs Madhya Pradesh: Fantasy Cricket Preview & Strategy

The stakes are high as we head into the 3rd Quarter Final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Punjab (PNJB) faces off against Madhya Pradesh (MP) at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru. With a spot in the semi finals on the line, both teams will be looking to field their strongest lineups. For fantasy fans, this is a goldmine of in form players and high value all rounders.

Match Details

• Match: Punjab vs Madhya Pradesh (3rd Quarter Final)
• Series: Vijay Hazare Trophy
• Date: 13 Jan 2026
• Time: 09:00 AM IST
• Venue: BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2, Bengaluru

Weather Report

Bengaluru in January offers perfect cricketing conditions. Expect a pleasant morning with temperatures around 18°C, rising to about 27°C by the afternoon. The humidity will be moderate, and there is no significant chance of rain. The wind might offer some assistance to the pacers in the first hour, but overall, it will be a great day for a full 100-over contest.

Pitch Report

The surface at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 generally offers a fair balance between bat and ball. Recent matches suggest that while batters can score freely once set, there is enough in the track for bowlers who hit the right lengths.

• Pace: Early movement expected with the new ball.
• Spin: As the day progresses and the sun beats down, spinners like Mayank Markande and Kumar Kartikeya will come into play.
• Score Prediction: A total of 250-270 is competitive here. Chasing might be slightly easier under lights if the pitch flattens out.

Team Form Guide

Punjab (PNJB): Punjab has been in red hot form, winning 4 of their last 5 matches. Their bowling attack, led by Harpreet brar the spinning wizardry of Mayank Markande, has been their biggest strength. Their batting has been solid, with Harnoor Singh and Anmolpreet Singh consistently putting runs on the board.

Madhya Pradesh (MP): MP has had a mixed bag recently but enters this knockout game with confidence after a solid win against Karnataka. Their strength lies in their all rounders. With Venkatesh Iyer and Shubham Sharma contributing in both departments, they offer great balance. Yash Dubey has been a run machine this series.

Key Fantasy Picks

1. Shivang Kumar (MP) Shivang is currently a fantasy beast. With a staggering series average of 223.5 points, he has picked up 10 wickets recently and even scored a half century. He is a must have in your fantasy contests.

2. Mayank Markande (PNJB) The leg spinner is in the form of his life, averaging 170.5 points. He has taken 9 wickets in the series and is a genuine wicket taking option in the middle overs. If MP batters attack him, he will likely pick up heaps of points.

3. Abhishek Sharma (PNJB) A dynamic all rounder averaging 150 points. He opens the batting and bowls crucial overs of left arm spin. His dual role makes him a perfect candidate for the Captaincy slot in Mega Leagues.

4. Yash Dubey (MP) The leading run scorer for MP with 390 runs in the series. He anchors the innings and has a high selection percentage for a reason. He is a safe pick for small leagues.

5. Venkatesh Iyer (MP) With 176 runs and 5 wickets, Venky provides stability. He bats in the top order and bowls medium pace, giving you two avenues to score points.

Captain & Vice Captain Choices

• Safe Options: Shivang Kumar, Abhishek Sharma
• Differential Picks: Mayank Markande, Venkatesh Iyer
• Risky Punt: Harpreet brar (High potential if Punjab bowls first)

Strategy for this Match

Since this is a knockout game, teams might play conservatively at the start. Focus on bowlers who bowl at the death (like Arshdeep Singh) and middle order batters who can build an innings. Spinners are likely to dictate the middle phase, so stacking your team with quality tweakers like Markande and Kartikeya could be the winning strategy for the leaderboard.

Good luck with your teams, and enjoy this high voltage Quarter Final clash!