Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite – Andhra vs Services Match Overview 2026
The Vijay Hazare Trophy continues to deliver exciting matches in India’s domestic List-A cricket competition. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite match played at Alur Cricket Stadium II, Bengaluru on 8 January 2026, Andhra defeated Services by 5 wickets in a low-scoring but tactical contest.
The match showcased disciplined bowling, patient batting, and strategic partnerships. Andhra chased down the target of 166 runs in 38.1 overs. The highlight of the match was the brilliant knock by K Maheep Kumar, who remained unbeaten and guided Andhra to victory in this Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite encounter.
Match Details – Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite
| Match Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite |
| Match | Andhra vs Services |
| Venue | Alur Cricket Stadium II, Bengaluru |
| Date | Thursday, 8 January 2026 |
| Toss | Services won the toss and elected to bat |
| Result | Andhra won by 5 wickets |
| Player of the Match | K Maheep Kumar |
First Innings Summary – Services
In this Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite match, Services struggled to build momentum after electing to bat first. The disciplined bowling attack from Andhra kept the scoring rate under control. Services were eventually bowled out for 165 runs in 45 overs, maintaining a run rate of only 3.67.
| Team | Runs | Overs | Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Services | 165 | 45.0 | 3.67 |
| Andhra | 168/5 | 38.1 | 4.40 |
Andhra Batting Performance – Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C R Gnaneshwar | 28 | 34 | 4 | 0 | 82.35 |
| K S Bharat | 7 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 43.75 |
| M Hemanth Reddy | 13 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 61.90 |
| K Maheep Kumar | 68* | 87 | 4 | 2 | 78.16 |
| Yara Sandeep | 22 | 53 | 1 | 0 | 41.51 |
Bowling Performance – Services
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amit Shukla | 10 | 40 | 2 | 4.00 |
| Pulkit Narang | 8 | 18 | 1 | 2.25 |
| N Yadav | 6.1 | 28 | 1 | 4.54 |
Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite Match Conclusion
This match from the Vijay Hazare Trophy Elite demonstrated the importance of patience and partnerships in List-A cricket. Andhra’s successful chase was built around the composed innings of K Maheep Kumar, who anchored the chase under pressure.
With this victory, Andhra secured valuable points in the Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament standings. The match proved once again that disciplined bowling and steady batting performances are key elements for success in India’s premier domestic 50-over competition.
Andhra Secures Hard-Fought Victory in VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY
The VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY Elite Group stage continued with a low-scoring thriller at Alur Cricket Stadium II in Bengaluru. Andhra displayed remarkable composure to defeat Services by 5 wickets in a match dominated by the bowlers. After Services won the toss and elected to bat, they were bundled out for a meager 165 in 45 overs. Andhra’s disciplined bowling attack ensured that the Services batters never found their rhythm on a challenging surface.
The chase was far from straightforward as Andhra lost early wickets, but a match-winning half-century from K Maheep Kumar guided them home. Reaching 168/5 in 38.1 overs, Andhra secured 4 crucial points in the VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY standings. This win highlights Andhra’s ability to grind out results in pressure situations, a trait essential for success in the 2026 domestic season.
Match Quick View: VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Result | Andhra Won by 5 Wickets |
| Services Total | 165 All Out (45.0 Ov) |
| Andhra Total | 168/5 (38.1 Ov) |
| Player of the Match | K Maheep Kumar (Andhra) |
K Maheep Kumar: The Anchor of Andhra’s Chase
In a VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY game where batters struggled to score, K Maheep Kumar played an innings of immense maturity. His unbeaten 68 off 87 balls was the difference between the two sides. While others fell around him, Maheep showed excellent technique against both pace and spin, hitting 4 boundaries and 2 sixes to keep the scoreboard moving.
His ability to absorb pressure during the middle overs allowed Andhra to recover from the early loss of K.S. Bharat and captain Hemanth Reddy. This performance cements Maheep’s reputation as a reliable middle-order mainstay for Andhra in the VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY, earning him the well-deserved Player of the Match honors.
Andhra Top Performers: VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY
| Batter | Runs | Balls | SR |
|---|---|---|---|
| K Maheep Kumar | 68* | 87 | 78.16 |
| C R Gnaneshwar | 28 | 34 | 82.35 |
| Yara Sandeep | 22 | 53 | 41.51 |
Services Bowling: Amit Shukla & Pulkit Narang Fight Back
Defending a low total of 165 in the VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY is never easy, but the Services bowlers made Andhra work for every run. Amit Shukla was the standout, taking 2 wickets for 40 runs in his 10 overs. Pulkit Narang was exceptionally economical, conceding only 18 runs in his 8 overs while picking up the crucial wicket of Hemanth Reddy.
The Services attack showed great discipline, but the lack of a substantial total on the board meant they eventually ran out of steam. Despite their valiant effort, the VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY points went to Andhra. Services will need to address their batting frailties to support their hardworking bowling unit in future matches.
Services Bowling Stats: VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | E/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulkit Narang | 8.0 | 18 | 1 | 2.25 |
| Amit Shukla | 10.0 | 40 | 2 | 4.00 |
Defining Partnership: Maheep and Sandeep’s 70-Run Stand
The turning point of this VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY encounter was the 70-run partnership for the fourth wicket between K Maheep Kumar and Yara Sandeep. Joining forces with the score at a precarious 51/3, the duo batted with extreme caution, taking 115 balls to build their stand.
While Sandeep played the supporting role with 22 runs, Maheep used this platform to anchor the chase. This partnership drained the confidence of the Services bowlers and took Andhra within touching distance of the victory. In low-scoring VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY matches, such substantial middle-order stands are often the deciding factor.
Key Partnerships: Andhra Chase
| Partners | Runs | Balls | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maheep & Sandeep | 70 | 115 | Maheep (45), Sandeep (22) |
| Maheep & Prasad | 43 | 35 | Maheep (19), Prasad (19) |
Andhra’s Bowling Prowess: Restricting Services to 165
The foundation of Andhra’s win was laid in the first innings. Andhra’s bowling unit was relentless, making the most of the Alur Cricket Stadium II conditions. By bowling out Services for 165, they ensured that their batters weren’t under extreme scoreboard pressure. The discipline shown by the seamers and the control of the spinners were hallmarks of this VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY performance.
Services struggled to find boundaries, managing a run rate of only 3.67. Andhra’s fielding was equally sharp, supporting the bowlers and preventing easy singles. This all-round dominance in the field has become a signature of Andhra’s 2026 VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY campaign.
Score Comparison: VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY Elite
| Team | Total Runs | Overs | Run Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Services | 165 | 45.0 | 3.67 |
| Andhra | 168/5 | 38.1 | 4.40 |
Tournament Standings: Andhra Gains 4 Points
With this victory, Andhra secures 4 points, moving up the VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY Elite group ladder. Every win in this competitive tournament is vital for qualifying for the knockouts. Services, unfortunately, remains at 0 points for this fixture and will need to bounce back quickly in their next match.
The VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY 2026 has already seen several upsets, making this clinical win even more significant for the Andhra camp. Their balance between experienced stars and rising talents like Maheep Kumar makes them a team to watch in the coming weeks of the competition.
Official Points Table: VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY
| Team | Match Result | Points Gained |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra | Won | 4 |
| Services | Lost | 0 |
Final Summary: Andhra vs Services VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY
The VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY Quarter-Final push is in full swing, and Andhra’s 5-wicket win over Services is a testament to their domestic pedigree. While the match was low on runs, it was high on tactical depth. K Maheep Kumar’s 68* will be remembered as one of the most resilient knocks of the tournament so far.
As the teams move forward, Andhra will look to maintain this momentum, while Services will search for answers to their batting woes. Bengaluru’s Alur grounds continue to provide a stern test for cricketers, and today, Andhra emerged as the deserving victors in this VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY Elite clash.
Official Match Details: VIJAY HAZARE TROPHY Elite
| Umpires | Navdeep Singh Sidhu, Vineet Kulkarni |
| Referee | Amit Sharma |
| Venue | Alur Cricket Stadium II, Bengaluru |
