Punjab vs Karnataka, Group C: Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024/25 Preview

Match Details

The Narendra Modi Stadium B Ground in Motera will host the highly anticipated Group C clash between Punjab and Karnataka in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024/25 on December 26th. The match is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM IST and local time.

Pitch Report

The surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium B Ground has produced contrasting results in the tournament, with both high-scoring and low-scoring contests. Spinners are expected to play a crucial role if the wicket offers turn. Interestingly, teams chasing have won the last two matches here, making bowling first a good option.

Recent Form

Both teams have been in excellent form, with Punjab winning four of their last five matches and Karnataka securing three victories in their last five outings.

Probable Playing XIs

Punjab

• Prabhsimran Singh
• Abhishek Sharma (c)
• Anmolpreet Singh
• Nehal Wadhera
• Anmol Malhotra (wk)
• Ramandeep Singh
• Sanvir Singh
• Baltej Singh
• Arshdeep Singh
• Mayank Markhande
• Raghu Sharma

Karnataka

• Mayank Agarwal (c)
• Nikin Jose
• KV Aneesh
• Smaran R
• Krishnan Shrijith (wk)
• Abhinav Manohar
• Shreyas Gopal
• Praveen Dubey
• Vyshak Vijaykumar
• Vidyadhar Patil
• Vasuki Koushik

Injury Updates

There are no reported injuries in both squads, and all players are expected to be fit for the match.

Fantasy Cricket Top Picks

Top Pick Batter: KV Aneesh has made a promising start to his List A career, scoring 97 runs in his first two matches with the best score of 82.

Top Pick All-Rounder: Abhishek Sharma will look to score runs quickly against the new ball. He made 51 runs in two matches in the tournament at a strike rate of 121.42.

Top Pick Bowler: Vidyadhar Patil has claimed five wickets in two matches in the tournament with the best figures of 4 for 27.

Top Pick Wicketkeeper: Krishnan Shrijith had seen highs and lows already in the first two matches of the tournament. He was a match-winner against Mumbai, scoring an unbeaten 150* but had to end his innings for just 1 against Puducherry in the next outing.

X-Factor: Anmolpreet Singh is in the best phase of his life at the moment. He made 170 runs and picked up two wickets in two matches in the tournament.

Pre-Match Analysis

Punjab have been in a hurry, finishing their first two matches with plenty of overs left in the game. They destroyed Arunachal Pradesh with 223 balls to spare, thanks to a record-breaking century from Anmolpreet Singh (115*), who completed the three-figure mark in just 35 balls. In the follow-up, he produced another brilliant knock against Nagaland, smashing 55 in just 40 balls as they completed another run-chase with five wickets in hand and 91 balls to spare.

Karnataka, on the other hand, made a clinical start into the tournament, scripting victories over Mumbai and Puducherry by seven wickets and three wickets, respectively. A new star has been born in the form of Krishnan Shrijith, who was the cynosure in the whopping run-chase against Mumbai, making an undefeated 150* runs.

Prediction

Punjab are expected to win this match, given their impressive form and talented squad. However, Karnataka cannot be written off, especially with their new-found confidence and the emergence of young stars like Krishnan Shrijith.

Fantasy Suggested Teams

1. Krishnan Shrijith (c), Prabhsimran Singh, Nikin Jose, Anmolpreet Singh (vc), KV Aneesh, Shreyas Gopal, Praveen Dubey, Abhishek Sharma, Ramandeep Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Vidyadhar Patil.

2. Krishnan Shrijith, Prabhsimran Singh, Mayank Agarwal, Anmolpreet Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Smaran R, Shreyas Gopal (vc), Praveen Dubey, Abhishek Sharma (c), Vasuki Koushik, Arshdeep Singh.

Get ready for a thrilling encounter between two of the strongest teams in the tournament!