How did VHT: Skipper Pant's unbeaten 67 lead Delhi to a stunning eight-wicket win over Services?
Synopsis
In a thrilling match of the 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Rishabh Pant's explosive 67 not out propelled Delhi to a resounding eight-wicket victory against Services. This performance not only secured the win but also showcased Pant's readiness for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. Explore the highlights and key moments of this exciting clash!
Key Takeaways
Rishabh Pant scored 67 not out, leading Delhi to victory.
Delhi bowled out Services for 178 runs.
Priyansh Arya contributed with a solid 72 runs.
Arshdeep Singh took a five-wicket haul against Sikkim.
Punjab won their match by 10 wickets.
Bengaluru, Jan 3 (NationPress) Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant delivered a stellar performance with an unbeaten 67 runs off just 37 balls, guiding Delhi to a dominant eight-wicket victory against Services in the 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy match held at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 on Saturday.
Captain Pant's explosive innings, featuring four boundaries and six sixes, coincides with the day the national selectors are set to unveil India's squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, commencing January 11 in Vadodara.
The foundation for Delhi's win was laid by their bowlers, who restricted Services to 178 runs in 42.5 overs. Harshit Rana, a seam bowling all-rounder, took 4 wickets for 47 runs, while pacer Prince Yadav claimed 3 for 28. Delhi chased down the target in a mere 19.4 overs, with left-handed opener Priyansh Arya scoring a magnificent 72 not out from 45 balls, including nine fours and three sixes.
Despite early losses of Sarthak Ranjan (4) and Nitish Rana (32), Arya and Pant formed a crucial 85-run partnership off just 51 balls, solidifying Delhi's commanding win. Although Pulkit Narang and Nitin Yadav took a wicket each for Services, they couldn't prevent Delhi from reaching the target with ease.
In another match, left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh achieved his third five-wicket haul in List A cricket, as Punjab overwhelmed Sikkim by 10 wickets at Jaipuria Vidyalaya Ground in Jaipur. Arshdeep's remarkable performance saw him take 5 wickets for 34 runs, helping bowl Sikkim out for a meager 75 runs in just 22.2 overs.
Punjab's choice to bowl first proved fruitful, despite Shubman Gill missing out due to food poisoning. Sukhdeep Bajwa dismissed openers Amit Rajera and Ashish Thapa before Arshdeep dismantled the middle order with a devastating five-wicket haul, while leg-spinner Mayank Markande cleared out the tail.
The modest target posed no challenge for Punjab's openers, who completed the chase in just 6.2 overs. Prabhsimran Singh smashed 53 runs off 26 balls with seven fours and two sixes, while Harnoor Singh remained unbeaten on 21.
Brief Scores: Services 178 all out in 42.5 overs (Vikas Hathwala 26, Raj Bahadur Pal 25; Harshit Rana 4-47, Prince Yadav 3-28) lost to Delhi 182/2 in 19.4 overs (Priyansh Arya 72, Rishabh Pant 67 not out; Pulkit Narang 1-34, Nitin Yadav 1-41) by eight wickets.
Sikkim 75 all out in 22.2 overs (Palzor 13; Arshdeep Singh 5-34) lost to Punjab 81/0 in 6.2 overs (Prabhsimran Singh 53 not out, Harnoor Singh 22 not out) by ten wickets.
Point of View
I firmly believe that Rishabh Pant's explosive performance not only solidifies his position within the team but also reflects the growing strength of Delhi cricket. This match serves as a reminder of the talent within our national ranks, and I look forward to seeing how they perform against New Zealand in the ODI series.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Rishabh Pant's score in the match?
Rishabh Pant scored an unbeaten 67 runs off 37 balls.
Who were the key bowlers for Delhi in this match?
Harshit Rana took 4 wickets for 47 runs, and Prince Yadav claimed 3 wickets for 28 runs.
What was the outcome of the Punjab vs. Sikkim match?
Punjab won against Sikkim by 10 wickets, chasing down a target of 81 runs.
Where was the Vijay Hazare Trophy match held?
The match took place at the BCCI Centre of Excellence Ground 2 in Bengaluru.
When does India play against New Zealand next?
India's next match against New Zealand is on January 11 in Vadodara.
