Vijay Hazare Trophy: Shardul Thakur Takes Three Quick Wickets vs Chhattisgarh

Mumbai, led by Captain Shardul Thakur, continued their dominant run in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 with a strong performance against Chhattisgarh in Match 53 at the Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground on December 29, 2025. Mumbai won the toss and elected to field first, aiming for a hat-trick of victories after an 8-wicket win over Sikkim and a 51-run triumph over Uttarakhand. Chhattisgarh, who had lost their opening two matches to Goa and Punjab, struggled early as Thakur tore through their top order, claiming four quick wickets in his opening spell to leave the opposition reeling in a precarious position.

Thakur struck twice in the very first over, reducing Chhattisgarh to 4/2 and setting the tone for Mumbai's aggressive bowling display. His disciplined line and length exploited early movement, dismantling key batsmen, including openers, and forcing Chhattisgarh into a defensive mode from the outset. The early breakthroughs highlighted Mumbai's bowling depth, even without star player Rohit Sharma, who featured in the first two matches but was absent here. Chhattisgarh's batsmen, including captain Amandeep Khare and others like Amandeep Khare and Ajay Mandal, faced intense pressure as Mumbai's pacers maintained tight control in the powerplay.

As the match progressed, Mumbai's strategy paid off, with Thakur's spell proving decisive in restricting Chhattisgarh's scoring rate. The visitors' contrasting form—two losses to start—meant they needed a strong recovery, but Mumbai's fielding and bowling unit ensured no partnerships could develop. This fixture underscored the competitive nature of the Elite Group C, where Mumbai are positioning themselves as strong contenders for knockout stages with consistent all-round performances.

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The absence of big names like Rohit Sharma allowed emerging talents in Mumbai's lineup to step up, while Thakur's leadership and bowling prowess continued to shine in domestic cricket. Chhattisgarh's early collapse served as a reminder of the challenges in facing a well-rounded side like Mumbai on a venue known for balanced conditions. Fans at the historic Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground witnessed a masterclass in seam bowling, with the match promising further excitement as Mumbai chases a third consecutive win.

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