Vijay Merchant Trophy
The Vijay Merchant Trophy remains one of India’s respected domestic youth cricket tournaments, built for under-16 players and regarded as an important platform for the country’s next generation of cricketers. Named after the legendary Vijay Merchant, it gives young players a competitive stage to develop their temperament and technique in multi-day red-ball cricket. Its structure, featuring Elite and Plate divisions, helps provide opportunities across established and emerging cricketing regions.
The latest edition, played from December 07, 2025 to January 28, 2026, delivered another strong showcase of youth cricket. In the Elite final at Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot, Mumbai and Maharashtra fought out a hard, tactical contest that ended in a draw, with Mumbai lifting the title after securing a first-innings lead. This marked a confident finish to their campaign and reaffirmed Mumbai’s strength in junior cricket.
In the Plate division, J & K emerged as champions, a result that underlined the growing competitiveness of teams outside the traditional power centers. Their performance added an exciting layer to the tournament narrative and highlighted the broader reach of India’s junior cricket ecosystem.
Introduction
The Vijay Merchant Trophy stands as one of India’s important junior cricket tournaments, shaping the country’s talent pipeline across generations. Introduced in 1972-73 to provide structured competitive opportunities for under-16 players, it became an established multi-day platform for young cricketers from different regions. Its name honours Vijay Merchant, a legendary opener and influential cricket administrator who remained closely associated with the development of Indian cricket. Over time, the tournament has reflected the changing structure of domestic youth cricket, evolving alongside improvements in coaching, facilities and the organization of state-level cricket.
The competition’s structure has evolved to provide organized opportunities for teams from different regions. The tournament features multi-day matches that emphasize skills such as temperament, sustained bowling, batting technique and technical discipline, making the Trophy an important stage in India’s junior cricket pathway. It forms part of the progression through age-group cricket before players move into higher levels such as the Cooch Behar Trophy and senior domestic cricket. The scheduling window can vary between seasons, depending on the domestic cricket calendar and other practical considerations. Improvements in digital scoring and match coverage have also made youth cricket easier to follow, giving the tournament greater visibility among supporters of Indian cricket.
Across its history, the Vijay Merchant Trophy has featured many promising young cricketers and has remained part of India’s broader system for developing talent. As more states and regional associations strengthened their grassroots cricket infrastructure, the competition became an important platform for players from different parts of the country. Its value lies in providing young cricketers with meaningful multi-day competition and a foundation for progressing through India’s domestic cricket structure, making it a useful reference point for anyone following the country’s youth cricket landscape, including readers of IndiaBetMaster.com.
For users who prefer reading in another language, this article is also available in Hindi (विजय मर्चेंट ट्रॉफी हिंदी समीक्षा), offering the same structured insights along with additional cultural context that enriches the understanding of how the tournament fits into India’s broader cricketing journey.
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Current Season
The Vijay Merchant Trophy 2026-2027 arrives with a refreshed rhythm, running from November 14, 2026 to January 5, 2027, aligning with the BCCI’s decision to move the U16 red-ball competition earlier in the domestic calendar. This shift is designed to give teams a cleaner preparation window and reduce overlap with other junior tournaments, a change that coaches and state academies have welcomed for its clarity and workload balance. The Elite division remains the centrepiece, featuring the country’s strongest U16 units, while the Plate division continues to provide meaningful exposure for developing cricketing regions. The Plate matches will be held in Dehradun, while the Elite league stage will unfold across Gwalior, Lucknow, Shimoga, Vijayawada and Vadodara, with the playoffs and final scheduled in Surat and Valsad.
The structure remains consistent with the previous cycle, retaining the Elite multi-group format and the single-pool Plate system. The Elite league’s competitive depth has been one of the major talking points in recent seasons, and the earlier scheduling is expected to sharpen match readiness, especially for teams that rely heavily on school-season coordination. The Plate competition, meanwhile, continues to serve as a proving ground for emerging states, with the top two sides meeting in the final. Promotion and relegation rules remain unchanged, ensuring stability while still rewarding long-term development.
One of the notable improvements this year is the more even spread of Elite venues. Gwalior and Lucknow bring strong local cricket cultures, Shimoga offers a quieter but technically challenging environment, and Vijayawada and Vadodara provide reliable red-ball surfaces that tend to reward disciplined bowling. Surat hosting the playoffs and final adds a layer of familiarity for fans who have followed age-group cricket in recent years, as the city has become a dependable knockout hub. These choices reflect the BCCI’s broader push for predictable, high-quality conditions across junior tournaments.
Crowd expectations remain modest for U16 cricket, but certain Elite centres traditionally draw enthusiastic school and academy groups, especially in cities like Lucknow and Vadodara. Past seasons suggest that strong Elite fixtures can attract anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand spectators, depending on local interest and scheduling. Digital viewership is likely to rise again, as the BCCI has steadily expanded streaming access across domestic age-group competitions.
Historically, U16 tournaments do not carry large prize purses, and match fees are modest compared to senior domestic cricket. If the board follows the pattern of recent years, the compensation structure is expected to remain stable, though no official numbers have been released.
As the Vijay Merchant Trophy 2026-2027 approaches, the blend of earlier scheduling, diverse Elite venues and a stable two-tier structure positions the tournament for another compelling season. The competition remains one of the most important markers of India’s junior red-ball talent, and with the domestic calendar now more streamlined, teams and fans can expect a sharper, more cohesive tournament flow. The mix of cultural energy, scouting interest and growing attention around the tournament ensures that this edition will be followed closely across India’s cricketing circles.
Ongoing September 2026 Events
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ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Test | June 17, 2025 – June 13, 2027 | LIVE |
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ICC Women's Championship ODI | February 20, 2026 – April 15, 2029 | LIVE |
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County Championship FC | April 3, 2026 – September 27, 2026 | LIVE |
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Women's One-Day Cup List A | April 11, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
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One-Day Cup List A | July 21, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
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Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 | August 7, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
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England vs Pakistan Test | August 19, 2026 – September 13, 2026 | LIVE |
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Duleep Trophy FC | August 23, 2026 – September 10, 2026 | |
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European T20 Premier League (ETPL) T20 | August 26, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
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Women's Asia Cup T20I | August 28, 2026 – September 13, 2026 | LIVE |
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Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) T20 | September 5–17, 2026 | LIVE |
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Minor League Cricket (MiLC) T20 | September 17, 2026 – October 25, 2026 | |
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Cricket at the Asian Games T20I | September 17, 2026 – October 3, 2026 | |
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South Africa vs Australia Tour | September 24, 2026 – October 31, 2026 |
Ongoing September 2026 Events
|
ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Test | June 17, 2025 – June 13, 2027 | LIVE |
|
ICC Women's Championship ODI | February 20, 2026 – April 15, 2029 | LIVE |
|
County Championship FC | April 3, 2026 – September 27, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Women's One-Day Cup List A | April 11, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
|
One-Day Cup List A | July 21, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 | August 7, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
|
England vs Pakistan Test | August 19, 2026 – September 13, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Duleep Trophy FC | August 23, 2026 – September 10, 2026 | |
|
European T20 Premier League (ETPL) T20 | August 26, 2026 – September 20, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Women's Asia Cup T20I | August 28, 2026 – September 13, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) T20 | September 5–17, 2026 | LIVE |
|
Minor League Cricket (MiLC) T20 | September 17, 2026 – October 25, 2026 | |
|
Cricket at the Asian Games T20I | September 17, 2026 – October 3, 2026 | |
|
South Africa vs Australia Tour | September 24, 2026 – October 31, 2026 |
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.
Past Vijay Merchant Trophy Editions
- 2025-2026 Season
The Vijay Merchant Trophy 2025-2026 ran from December 07, 2025 to January 28, 2026, featuring the updated Elite and Plate structure that split teams into five Elite groups and one Plate pool. The season concluded with a hard-fought Elite final at Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot, where Mumbai claimed the title on a first-innings lead after a drawn match against Maharashtra, reinforcing their reputation as one of the strongest Under-16 units in the country. In the Plate division, J & K emerged champions, capping a consistent campaign that highlighted the growing competitiveness of developing cricket regions. The tournament maintained its three-day match format with first-innings lead rules shaping several key results, a factor that also influenced how fans followed the Vijay Merchant Trophy throughout the season. Overall, the 2025-2026 edition stood out for its balanced format, strong performances across both tiers, and the continued rise of new talent within India’s junior cricket system.
- 2024-2025 Season
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 can be, adding to the memorable moments of the Vijay Merchant Trophy. 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. Adding DRS to some knockout games made them more tactically complex, giving teams another factor to consider when making decisions during important Vijay Merchant Trophy matches.
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 because of how well the event went. It showed that it was a good way to find new players for the national team.
- Earlier Seasons
The previous season of the Vijay Merchant Trophy 2023-2024 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 2023-2024 came to an exciting conclusion.
The Vijay Merchant Trophy for the 2023-2024 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 2023-2024 season.
| Season | Champion | Runner-up | Final Result | Event / Final Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | Mumbai | Maharashtra | Match Drawn, Mumbai took first innings lead | Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot |
| 2024-2025 | Uttar Pradesh | Punjab | Match Drawn, Uttar Pradesh took first innings lead | Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, Surat |
| 2023-2024 | Mumbai | Gujarat | Mumbai Won by an innings and 38 Runs | Alur Cricket Stadium III, Bangalore |
| 2022-2023 | Punjab | Madhya Pradesh | Punjab Won by 10 Wickets | SNR College Cricket Ground, Coimbatore |
| 2019-2020 | Mumbai | Punjab | Mumbai Won by an innings and 50 Runs | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala |
| 2018-2019 | Haryana | Jharkhand | Match Drawn, Haryana took first innings lead | Dr. Gokaraju Laila Ganga Raju ACA Cricket Complex - DVR Ground, Mulapadu |
| 2017-2018 | Punjab | Uttar Pradesh | Punjab Won by 6 Wickets | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 2016-2017 | Vidarbha | Uttar Pradesh | Vidarbha Won by 171 Runs | Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore |
| 2015-2016 | Punjab | Mumbai | Match Drawn, Punjab took first innings lead | Alur Cricket Stadium, Bangalore |
| 2014-2015 | Punjab | Madhya Pradesh | Punjab won by 190 runs | Ravenshaw University Ground 1, Cuttack |
| 2013-2014 | Madhya Pradesh | Punjab | Madhya Pradesh won by 6 wickets | Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai |
| 2012-2013 | Delhi | Mumbai | Match Drawn, Delhi took first innings lead | Shivaji College Ground, New Delhi |
| 2011-2012 | Uttar Pradesh | Jharkhand | Match Drawn, Uttar Pradesh took first innings lead | Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur |
| 2010-2011 | Delhi | Maharashtra | Match Drawn, Delhi took first innings lead | Perintalmanna Cricket Stadium, Malappuram/Perintalmanna, Kerala |
| 2009-2010 | Delhi & Maharashtra | - | Match abandond due to bad weather, both teams decleared as winners | Kanchanjungwa Krirangan (Kanchenjunga Stadium), Siliguri |
| 2008-2009 | Mumbai | Punjab | Match Drawn, Delhi took first innings lead | Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore |
| 2007-2008 | Maharashtra | Delhi | Match Drawn, Maharashtra took first innings lead | Ravenshaw College Ground, Cuttack |
| 2006-2007 | Mumbai | Delhi | Match Drawn, Mumbai took first innings lead | Chennai |
| 2005-2006 | Uttar Pradesh | Mumbai | Match Drawn, Uttar Pradesh took first innings lead | Kolkata |
| 2004-2005 | Delhi | Mumbai | Delhi won by 40 runs | Jadavpur University Campus Ground, Kolkata |
| 2003-2004 | Mumbai | Bengal | Match Drawn, Mumbai took first innings lead | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
| 2002-2003 | Uttar Pradesh | Mumbai | Match Drawn, Uttar Pradesh took first innings lead | Kamla Club Sports Ground, Kanpur |
| 2001-2002 | Mumbai | Uttar Pradesh | Match Drawn, Mumbai took first innings lead | * Not documented |
| 2000-2001 | Uttar Pradesh | Delhi | Match Drawn, Uttar Pradesh took first innings lead | Eden Gardens, Kolkata |
* 2020-2021 & 2021-2022 seasons did not take place due to COVID-19
** Earlier editions (1972-2000) are partially documented
History and Structure
Origins and Evolution of the Vijay Merchant Trophy
The Vijay Merchant Trophy was introduced in the 1977-1978 season by the Board of Control for Cricket in India as a national red ball platform for under-16 cricketers, at a time when India’s junior pathway was still taking shape. Named after Vijay Merchant, one of India’s leading batsmen and a respected cricket administrator, the tournament provided an important structured stage for young players to gain multi-day cricket experience. Through the 1980s and 1990s, as school and age-group cricket grew in cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai, the competition gained greater importance within the domestic pathway. The tournament has since remained an important platform for identifying and developing young cricketers before they progress to higher age-group and senior domestic cricket.
The competition has evolved alongside changes in the organization of Indian domestic youth cricket. Its structure has been adjusted over the years as the BCCI expanded and refined age-group competitions, with group stages providing young players from different regions opportunities to play multi-day cricket. In recent seasons, the introduction of Elite and Plate groupings has reflected an effort to create more balanced competition while giving developing regions a meaningful pathway. The modern structure is designed to provide regular red ball cricket for under-16 players while maintaining a clear progression within India’s wider junior cricket system.
Structure, Scheduling and Influences Over the Years
The Vijay Merchant Trophy is organised by the BCCI, which oversees the schedule, venues and competition rules. The tournament is generally played during the domestic season, with its timing shaped by the wider age-group cricket calendar and the need to coordinate India's junior competitions. Its place alongside tournaments such as the Cooch Behar Trophy and Vinoo Mankad Trophy reflects the structured progression of Indian youth cricket. Matches are played in a multi-day format, reinforcing red ball fundamentals such as temperament, shot selection and sustained bowling spells.
Technology has also reshaped the tournament’s visibility. Digital scoring and wider online coverage have made age-group cricket more accessible to selectors, academies and followers of India's domestic game. While the event does not have the profile or commercial scale of senior competitions, its value lies in providing young cricketers with competitive match experience. State associations and cricket academies can also use performances from this level as part of the broader process of identifying and developing promising players. As more regions have invested in grassroots cricket infrastructure, the talent pool has widened, making the Vijay Merchant Trophy an important part of India's junior cricket ecosystem and a stepping stone towards higher age-group and domestic levels.
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 gives aspiring cricketers early exposure to high-level competition, helping to develop their skills 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 reflected in its role in developing young cricketers and maintaining a talent pathway toward higher levels of state and national cricket.
The tournament's systematic format, which includes different stages before moving on to knockout rounds, gives young players valuable competitive experience and provides teams with a structured route through the competition. This demanding structure helps prepare youngsters for the challenges they may face in their careers by encouraging a competitive attitude while introducing them to the demands of multi-day cricket.
The Vijay Merchant Trophy's significance in the Indian cricket environment is further demonstrated by the generations of young cricketers who have progressed through India's domestic youth system. With continued support from the BCCI, the competition remains an important part of the country's junior cricket structure, providing a platform for under-16 players to develop their skills and gain valuable match experience.
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