Assam vs Jharkhand, Round 1, Group A, Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25

Preview

The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 is set to kick off on December 21, 2024, with Assam taking on Jharkhand in Round 1 of Group A at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur. Both teams will be looking to start their campaigns on a high note in India's premier domestic 50-over competition.

Team Analysis

Assam has been an emerging side in Indian domestic cricket, showing consistent performances in limited-overs formats. Rishav Das, one of Assam's most consistent performers, will be a key figure in their batting lineup. Arup Mandal's all-round skills will be vital, especially in the middle overs. Mukhtar Hussain's performances in the powerplay and death overs will be critical in containing the opposition.

Jharkhand has established itself as a competitive team in domestic cricket, especially known for their strong batting lineup and capable bowling attack. The seasoned batsman Saurabh Tiwary is one of Jharkhand's mainstays and is known for his ability to anchor innings and accelerate when needed. Varun Aaron's express pace will be a key factor in Jharkhand's attack, capable of providing breakthroughs at crucial times. Anukul Roy's left-arm spin will play a significant role in the middle overs, containing runs and taking wickets.

Pitch Analysis

The pitch for the Assam vs Jharkhand match is expected to offer good batting conditions, especially in the early overs. Fast bowlers may find some movement early on, while spinners will come into play in the middle overs as the pitch slows down. Batting first could be an advantage, with a total of around 250-270 likely to be competitive. Teams will need to manage the middle overs well, and spinners will play a key role in the later stages of the game.

Weather Condition

The weather is expected to be clear and mild, with a chance of dew if it's an evening game. Players may experience some humidity, especially in certain regions, and bowlers, particularly spinners, should be mindful of conditions that may affect grip as the game progresses.

Head-to-Head Record

The head-to-head record between Assam and Jharkhand in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and other domestic limited-overs competitions is competitive, but Jharkhand has often had the upper hand. Jharkhand tends to edge Assam in terms of overall victories, thanks to its stronger lineup and experience.

Probable Playing XI

Assam: Sibsankar Roy (c), Sumit Ghadigaonkar (vc), Avinov Choudhury, Denish Das, Rishav Das, Mrinmoy Dutta, Saahil Jain, Mukhtar Hussain, Parvej Musaraf, Swarupam Purkayastha, Rahul Singh, Darshan Rajbongshi, Akash Sengupta, Abhishek Thakuri

Jharkhand: Saurabh Tiwary (c), Virat Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Anukul Roy, Varun Aaron, Shahbaz Nadeem, and others

Today Match Prediction

Given the experience and depth of Jharkhand's squad, they are likely to come out on top, but Assam will make it a competitive game, especially if their bowlers and young talents perform well.

Result: Jharkhand to win but expect a close contest.