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Vijay Merchant Trophy

The Vijay Merchant Trophy is a prestigious domestic cricket tournament in India, designed exclusively for under-16 players. Named after the legendary cricketer Vijay Merchant, this competition serves as a vital platform for aspiring young talents to showcase their skills and gain invaluable experience in a competitive environment. The latest edition, held from December 6, 2024, to January 27, 2025, concluded with Uttar Pradesh claiming the title after a gripping final against Madhya Pradesh at the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium in Surat. The match ended in a draw, but Uttar Pradesh emerged victorious by securing a first-innings lead, highlighting their exceptional performance throughout the tournament.

December 7, 2025 - January 28, 2026
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Type: First-class cricket

Title Holder: Uttar Pradesh

First Edition: 1972-1973

Last Edition: 2024-2025

Introduction

In India, cricket is more than just a sport for many people; it's a way of life. The local tournaments are what keep this love alive. The Vijay Merchant Trophy is a famous domestic event for under-16 cricket players. It is a key stepping stone for the next generation of Indian cricket stars. Not only does the event help develop talent, it also has a special appeal for a certain type of Indian audience member: cricket bettors. For people who know their cricket, the Vijay Merchant Trophy is an interesting, if complicated, place to bet.

The raw, unpolished ability on show is what makes people so excited. At the U-16 level, heroes can appear out of nowhere, unlike in senior events, where team relationships and star player form are well-known. A young batter can make a big splash with a fast hundred, or a new spin bowler can confuse more experienced players with a stunning performance. This lack of predictability, along with the emotion and energy of these young players, makes for exciting games and a lively atmosphere for people who want to bet on the Vijay Merchant Trophy India. Indian bettors who are smart know that this is a chance to find future stars and get ahead of the curve. The Vijay Merchant Trophy betting tips for India are based on how well each person does, how the teams are put together, and the weather in the area. It has a huge cultural effect because the prize honors one of India's best batsmen, and each game shows off the skills of young players who will one day play for the country.

You’ll also find an integrated version in Hindi (विजय मर्चेंट ट्रॉफी हिंदी समीक्षा) within the same narrative, where you can dive into rising stars like Vedant Sehwag’s four-wicket haul for Delhi - perspectives that enhance your ability to bet on Vijay Merchant Trophy India with sharper insight and elevate your Vijay Merchant Trophy betting tips India experience at IndiaBetMaster.com.

Recent editions bring valuable context to this under-16 showcase. In the 2024-2025 tournament, Bihar captured the Plate Group title by defeating Tripura, while Uttar Pradesh ended a 13-year drought by winning the Elite trophy with a commanding 214-run victory over Gujarat. Future stars have also made their mark: Abhishek Sharma scored an impressive 1,200 runs at an average of 109.09 in the 2015-2016 Vijay Merchant Trophy. These trends make this competition not just a breeding ground for talent but a smart arena for bettors looking to detect form, momentum, and value early.

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Current Season

The Vijay Merchant Trophy 2025–2026 season, which runs from early December 2025 to late January 2026, will be a big change because a new, much-anticipated style will be used. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has changed the system by putting teams into "Elite" and "Plate" leagues. This is meant to make games more competitive and make the path easier for both established and new cricketing states. This is a big change in the past of the event and something that everyone who wants to bet on the Vijay Merchant Trophy India needs to know.

With the new setup, the Elite league will be made up of the best teams from the previous season, split into five groups. The knockouts will be made up of the top two teams from each of these five Elite groups. This includes the five winners in each group, who will go straight to the quarterfinals. The teams that are still in second place will then play in a preliminary quarterfinal to see who will move on to the next round. This new system is great for professional cricket because it makes sure that the best teams always play against good teams.

In contrast, teams from the lower-ranked states will make up the Plate league. After this, the top two teams in this group will play a final to see who wins the Plate league. With this new method, developing teams have a better chance to fight for prizes and gain useful experience without always being beaten by the established cricketing giants. The method for moving teams up and down has also been changed. Now, only one team moves from the Elite group to the Plate group each season. This makes it easier for teams to improve their performance without having to worry about taking a big drop.

When it comes to betting, these changes are very important. The Elite League is where the best players will show off their skills. Games are sure to be very competitive, so there are lots of betting options. A different kind of chance can be found in the Plate league, though. Even though the teams here aren't as well-known, you can get great Vijay Merchant Trophy betting tips India by looking closely at how they've done in the past and how each player has done. The event is even more important to Indian culture because it helps develop the country's future stars. The best players here often get to play in the Cooch Behar Trophy (U-19) and other senior domestic events faster, which makes it a great place to watch and bet.

Both the Elite and Plate pools of the Vijay Merchant Trophy begin on 7 December 2025, with league matches running until 31 December 2025. Knockouts start on 4 January 2026, but while the Plate section finishes early on 7 January 2026, the Elite continues until 28 January 2026. The Elite has five groups of six teams each, with toppers and select runners-up advancing through knockouts, whereas the Plate is a single six-team pool where the top two contest the final.

Date Stage Team 1 Team 2 Score
04-01-2026 Plate Final TBD TBD -
04-01-2026 Pre Quarter Final (Elite) Team 7 Team 10 -
04-01-2026 Pre Quarter Final (Elite) Team 8 Team 9 -
11-01-2026 Quarter Final (Elite) Team 1 TBD -
11-01-2026 Quarter Final (Elite) Team 2 TBD -
11-01-2026 Quarter Final (Elite) Team 3 Team 6 -
11-01-2026 Quarter Final (Elite) Team 4 Team 5 -
18-01-2026 Semi Final (Elite) Winner QF 1 Winner QF 4 -
18-01-2026 Semi Final (Elite) Winner QF 2 Winner QF 3 -
25-01-2026 Final (Elite) Winner SF 1 Winner SF 2 -
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Previous Seasons

The Vijay Merchant Trophy has evolved significantly since its inception in 1972-1973, shaping the future of Indian cricket at the grassroots level. Initially designed as a platform for under-16 cricketers, the tournament quickly gained importance, becoming a crucial part of the BCCI's strategy to identify and nurture young talent. Over the years, the tournament has seen several key changes, including the introduction of zonal formats and the eventual split into Elite and Plate groups to ensure more competitive matches and broader participation from various regions. This format allowed players from less prominent cricketing states to showcase their talent, contributing to the tournament’s reputation as a breeding ground for future stars.

Culturally, the Vijay Merchant Trophy has reflected the growing popularity of cricket in India, with increased media attention and the gradual introduction of TV broadcasts making the matches more accessible to fans nationwide. The financial backing of sponsors has also grown, with brands recognizing the value of associating with youth cricket. Legally, while the tournament itself has always operated under the BCCI’s regulations, the rise of betting on such youth events has led to increased scrutiny and calls for clearer legal frameworks. Socially, the tournament has remained predominantly male, but there is a growing conversation around creating similar platforms for young female cricketers, highlighting the broader push towards gender equality in Indian sports.

2024-2025 Edition

After an exciting final in Bhubaneswar on January 5, 2025, Bihar won the Plate Group title in the 2024–2025 Vijay Merchant Trophy. They beat Tripura by 133 runs. Punjab beat Uttar Pradesh easily in the Elite Group final, showing how deep and smart they are as a team. Anvay Dravid's perfect century for Karnataka was one of the most impressive performances. It got a lot of attention from the media because of his family history. A spin bowler from Meghalaya did something very rare: he took all 10 wickets in a game. This went viral and showed how unpredictable the event is, which is a big draw for betting on the Vijay Merchant Trophy India. One of the most memorable stories was the heated match between Karnataka and Delhi, where young stars Aryavir and Anvay Dravid fought, solidifying the event's reputation for dramatic stories.

The Vijay Merchant Trophy had 32 teams last season, split into Elite and Plate Groups. The Elite Group had four sub-groups of six teams each, and the Plate Group had eight teams. The games lasted three days, and a lead in the first innings decided who got points in games that were tied. In the Elite Group, there was a round-robin system within sub-groups, followed by knockout rounds. In the Plate Group, there was a similar system with progress at stake. Rules that changed because of rain, like changing the number of overs because of bad weather, played a big part in some games and affected the results of bets. Adding DRS to some knockout games made them more tactically complex, which changed Vijay Merchant Trophy betting tips India as punters took into account how accurate the umpires were.

The media paid a lot of attention to the 2024–2025 season. Sportstar and ESPN India had a lot of coverage, including live scores and player bios, which got fans more involved. Crowds in host towns like Shimoga and Ahmedabad made the atmosphere festive, and local sellers took advantage of the extra people who came to watch the games. Social media was used in marketing efforts. For example, the #VijayMerchantTrophy hashtag was popular on platforms like X thanks to fan-generated content and BCCI ads. The event raised money for community cricket by having sponsors pay for schools and player development. Along with the BCCI's goals for inclusivity, Bihar's Plate Group win led to talks about building up cricket facilities in areas that aren't usually associated with the sport. People became more interested in Vijay Merchant Trophy cricket betting in India because of how well the event went. It showed that it was a good way to find new players for the national team.

Earlier Editions

The previous season of the Vijay Merchant Trophy 2023-24 started from December 2023 to January 2024. Each team played their matches and out of them, only 4 teams qualified for the semi-finals. With exciting semifinal and final matches that featured outstanding performances and fierce competition, the Vijay Merchant Trophy 2023-24 came to an exciting conclusion.

The Vijay Merchant Trophy for the 2023-24 season witnessed an exciting set of matches culminating in a dramatic final. The first semi-final took place on January 10, 2024, at Alur Cricket Stadium II in Bangalore, where Punjab faced Mumbai. Punjab, batting first, posted a total of 214 runs in 90.4 overs. In their second innings, they managed 184 runs in 50.5 overs. Mumbai responded strongly, scoring 327 runs in 162 overs in their first innings and 76/1 in 27.5 overs in their second innings, securing a comfortable victory by 9 wickets, thus qualifying for the final.

Simultaneously, the second semi-final was held at Alur Cricket Stadium, Bangalore, between Gujarat and Jharkhand. Gujarat, batting first, scored 176 runs in 83.5 overs. Jharkhand, in their first innings, posted 206 runs in 90.4 overs. In their second innings, Gujarat managed to chase down the target with a score of 219/4 in 66 overs, ultimately winning the match by 6 wickets and advancing to the final.

The final match of the Vijay Merchant Trophy took place on January 17, 2024, at Alur Cricket Stadium III in Bangalore, where Mumbai faced Gujarat. Mumbai batted first and amassed a formidable total of 376 runs in 161.1 overs. Gujarat, in their first innings, could only manage 145 runs in 45.4 overs and, following on scored 193 runs in 55.2 overs. Mumbai's dominant performance secured them an innings and 38 runs victory, crowning them the winners of the Vijay Merchant Trophy for the 2023-24 season.

History & Structure

The top domestic cricket competition in India, the Vijay Merchant Trophy, is devoted to developing the country's under-16 cricket talent. The tournament was created to support young talent and give aspiring cricket players a stage to display their abilities. It is named after the legendary Indian cricketer Vijay Merchant, who is renowned for his substantial contributions to Indian cricket as a player and a mentor. This competition is supervised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which makes sure its goals of talent discovery and grassroots development are met.

The Vijay Merchant Trophy's format was carefully thought out to provide young cricket players with a wide range of opportunities and competitive experiences. There are several levels to the competition, starting with the state level when teams from 36 states compete against one another. This phase guarantees that the most skilled individuals from various regions of the nation are recognized. The top teams from each state move on to the next round, where they play the top teams from other areas, ramping up the competition. The knockout stages, which comprise the semifinals and final match, are the final stage of the competition and determine the overall champion.

The Vijay Merchant Trophy has been important in the growth of several well-known Indian cricket players throughout its history. These young players are ready for higher levels of cricket because of the tournament's focus on competitive matches, superior standards of play, and professional conduct. This competition helped several of India's greatest cricket players, such as Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli, refine their techniques. By consistently adding refined new players to the national talent pool, the Vijay Merchant Trophy not only helps launch careers but also adds to the general strength and depth of Indian cricket.

Final Thoughts

A vital component of India's domestic cricket system, the Vijay Merchant Trophy is essential to the growth of the game's next generation of players. The event guarantees that aspiring cricket players have early exposure to high-level competition, helping to mold their abilities and resilience. It does this by offering a competitive platform for under-16 players. The competition bears the name of Vijay Merchant, whose legacy is celebrated by this dedication to developing the next generation of cricket players and preserving the talent pipeline that has traditionally led to higher levels of state and national cricket.

The tournament's systematic format, which includes different stages before moving on to knockout rounds, ensures that all competing teams' skills are thoroughly evaluated and that only the best teams move further. This demanding structure prepares youngsters for the obstacles they will face in their careers by encouraging a competitive attitude while simulating the demands of professional cricket.

The Vijay Merchant Trophy's significance in the Indian cricket environment is further demonstrated by the number of well-known players who have come through its ranks. With continuous backing from the BCCI, the competition is expected to grow and play a significant role in the growth of cricket in India, producing a new generation of players who will uphold the rich history of Indian cricket.

Betting on the Vijay Merchant Trophy

The Vijay Merchant Trophy, one of India's premier youth cricket tournaments, is an excellent opportunity for bettors looking to capitalize on emerging talent. As we approach the upcoming season, several changes and improvements make betting on this event more exciting than ever. The competition's structure, split into Elite and Plate groups, offers a broader spectrum of betting options, with matches spread across diverse venues like Lucknow, Surat, and Shimoga. This season's extended recovery periods for players mean more consistent performances, which is crucial for making informed bets.

Is betting on the Vijay Merchant Trophy legal in India? The legality of online sports betting in India is nuanced and varies by state. While states like Goa, Sikkim, and Daman have clear regulations permitting gambling, most of the country operates under the Public Gambling Act of 1867. This law predates the digital era and does not directly address online betting, leaving a gray area. However, Indian bettors can legally place wagers on cricket matches through offshore sportsbooks, as long as these platforms are not based in India.

For those looking to bet on the Vijay Merchant Trophy, IndiaBetMaster.com provides comprehensive reviews of the best online bookmakers, ensuring you choose a site that offers fair terms and a secure betting environment. With the upcoming season offering more televised matches and online coverage, now is the perfect time to explore betting on this exciting youth tournament. By choosing the right platform and staying informed, you can enjoy a safe and rewarding betting experience on this prestigious event.

Did You Know

In the 2019–2020 Vijay Merchant Trophy, a 15-year-old Meghalaya off-spinner named Nirdesh Baisoya took all 10 wickets in a single innings against Nagaland.

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