The 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy has quickly become a proving ground for several domestic heavyweights, and Mumbai is asserting its dominance with calculated precision. Their campaign reached an early peak in Jaipur as captain Shardul Thakur delivered a devastating spell against Chhattisgarh, effectively collapsing the opposition`s top order within the first four overs.
Playing their third match of the tournament at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground, Mumbai entered the contest with the clear objective of securing a hat-trick of victories. Facing a Chhattisgarh side struggling for form, Mumbai won the toss and elected to field, a decision that yielded immediate and spectacular results, largely thanks to the leadership and execution of their pace spearhead.
Shardul Thakur: The Architect of the Early Collapse
If cricket is a game of seizing momentum, Shardul Thakur is an expert opportunist. Taking the new ball, Thakur demonstrated why he remains one of India’s most compelling white-ball all-rounders. His initial spell was marked by relentless pressure, utilizing the early morning conditions to generate movement off the pitch. The result was catastrophic for Chhattisgarh.
In a clinical display of high-class bowling, Thakur claimed three crucial wickets in rapid succession. The quick dismissals stunned the Chhattisgarh dressing room, leaving their scorecard in critical condition at 10 runs for 3 wickets after just four overs. This surgical strike ensured that Mumbai had seized control of the match before Chhattisgarh’s innings had even taken shape. The early collapse placed immediate and intense pressure on the inexperienced middle order, forcing them into a damage control strategy far earlier than anticipated.
Mumbai’s Unstoppable Momentum
Mumbai arrived in Jaipur on the back of two comprehensive victories—an 8-wicket rout of Sikkim, followed by a 51-run win against Uttarakhand. This consistent performance underscores their pedigree and depth. Crucially, Mumbai demonstrated that their success is not dependent solely on marquee names.
The squad is notably missing the presence of international superstar Rohit Sharma, who featured in the initial matches. Sharma’s departure might have raised questions about leadership and firepower, yet Thakur’s proactive performance with the ball confirmed that the responsibility is being distributed effectively across the squad. The team’s focus remains firmly fixed on tournament progression, utilizing strong bench depth and seasoned domestic performers like Sarfaraz Khan, Siddhesh Lad, and Shams Mulani to maintain their winning trajectory.
Chhattisgarh’s Uphill Battle
For Chhattisgarh, the beginning of the Vijay Hazare Trophy has been defined by struggle. Having suffered losses in their first two encounters against Goa and Punjab, the fixture against Mumbai was viewed as an opportunity to reset their campaign. Unfortunately, Shardul Thakur’s opening salvo ensured that any hope of a quick turnaround was brutally suppressed.
With established batsmen like Amandeep Khare and Sanjeet Desai battling to stabilize the innings after the early onslaught, the weight of expectation is immense. The challenge facing them is not merely scoring runs, but surviving the disciplined attack of Mumbai’s bowling unit, which looks determined to capitalize on the momentum generated by their captain.
The nature of domestic 50-over cricket demands resilience and strategic adaptation. While an early collapse is often terminal, the key for Chhattisgarh will be avoiding a total capitulation and attempting to reach a score that offers their bowlers a fighting chance—a task that now requires a monumental effort under severe scoreboard pressure.
The Road Ahead in the Vijay Hazare Trophy
Mumbai’s aggressive start reinforces their status as strong contenders in the 2025-26 Vijay Hazare Trophy. A third consecutive victory will cement their position at the top of their group, providing a significant cushion as the tournament enters its more critical stages.
The narrative emerging from this match is clear: even without their biggest star, Mumbai’s systematic approach and the tactical brilliance of their senior players, particularly Shardul Thakur, are proving too formidable for the competition. This performance serves as a powerful message to future opponents: Mumbai means business, and they are prepared to rely on their experienced core to dismantle any challenge.
