The Vijay Merchant Trophy is back for the 2025-26 season! This major tournament showcases the brightest young cricketers (U-16 age group) from across India. The teams have been divided into two categories – plate and elite. The elite category contains five groups having six teams each. The plate category has just six teams.
Get ready to watch the future stars of Indian cricket compete in a series of exciting matches that test their skills, stamina, and teamwork.
Vijay Merchant Trophy 2025-26 Schedule
Here are the matches for Elite & Plate Categories –
Elite Category
The tournament is structured with several rounds of Elite Group matches followed by the knockout stages, including Pre-Quarterfinals, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final. All times are in IST.
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Kerala vs Manipur | DRIEMS Ground, Cuttack | 9:00 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Assam vs Bengal | KIIT Cricket Stadium, Bhubaneshwar | 9:00 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Jharkhand vs Mumbai | Ravenshaw University Ground 1, Cuttack | 9:00 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Karnataka vs Madhya Pradesh | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur | 9:15 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Andhra vs Baroda | RDCA Ground, Raipur | 9:15 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Goa vs Uttarakhand | Sector 10 B S P Cricket Stadium, Bhilai | 9:15 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Tamil Nadu vs Vidarbha | JNN College of Engg, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Pondicherry vs Punjab | Mpca Ground, Morena | 9:30 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Bihar vs Chhattisgarh | Captain Roop Singh Stadium, Gwalior | 9:30 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Odisha vs Rajasthan | Scindia School Cricket Ground, Gwalior | 9:30 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Hyderabad vs Maharashtra | DVR Ground, Mulapadu | 9:30 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Delhi vs Haryana | CP Ground, Mulapadu | 9:30 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Himachal Pradesh vs Saurashtra | ACA Cricket Stadium, Mangalagiri | 9:30 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Tripura vs Uttar Pradesh | KSCA Navule Stadium, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Chandigarh vs Gujarat | KSCA 2, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Bengal vs Jharkhand | DRIEMS Ground, Cuttack | 9:00 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Assam vs Manipur | KIIT Cricket Stadium, Bhubaneshwar | 9:00 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Kerala vs Mumbai | Ravenshaw University Ground 1, Cuttack | 9:00 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Baroda vs Goa | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur | 9:15 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Andhra vs Madhya Pradesh | RDCA Ground, Raipur | 9:15 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Karnataka vs Uttarakhand | Sector 10 B S P Cricket Stadium, Bhilai | 9:15 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Gujarat vs Tamil Nadu | KSCA Navule Stadium, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Chandigarh vs Uttar Pradesh | KSCA 2, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Tripura vs Vidarbha | JNN College of Engg, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Bihar vs Punjab | Captain Roop Singh Stadium, Gwalior | 9:30 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Pondicherry vs Rajasthan | Scindia School Cricket Ground, Gwalior | 9:30 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Haryana vs Himachal Pradesh | DVR Ground, Mulapadu | 9:30 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Delhi vs Maharashtra | CP Ground, Mulapadu | 9:30 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Hyderabad vs Saurashtra | ACA Cricket Stadium, Mangalagiri | 9:30 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Chhattisgarh vs Odisha | Mpca Ground, Morena | 9:30 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Manipur vs Mumbai | KIIT Cricket Stadium, Bhubaneshwar | 9:00 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Bengal vs Kerala | DRIEMS Ground, Cuttack | 9:00 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Assam vs Jharkhand | Ravenshaw University Ground 1, Cuttack | 9:00 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Baroda vs Karnataka | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur | 9:15 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Madhya Pradesh vs Uttarakhand | RDCA Ground, Raipur | 9:15 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Andhra vs Goa | Sector 10 B S P Cricket Stadium, Bhilai | 9:15 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Gujarat vs Tripura | KSCA Navule Stadium, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Uttar Pradesh vs Vidarbha | KSCA 2, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Chandigarh vs Tamil Nadu | JNN College of Engg, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Chhattisgarh vs Pondicherry | Mpca Ground, Morena | 9:30 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Punjab vs Rajasthan | Captain Roop Singh Stadium, Gwalior | 9:30 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Bihar vs Odisha | Scindia School Cricket Ground, Gwalior | 9:30 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Maharashtra vs Saurashtra | CP Ground, Mulapadu | 9:30 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Delhi vs Himachal Pradesh | ACA Cricket Stadium, Mangalagiri | 9:30 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Haryana vs Hyderabad | DVR Ground, Mulapadu | 9:30 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Jharkhand vs Manipur | DRIEMS Ground, Cuttack | 9:00 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Assam vs Kerala | Ravenshaw University Ground 1, Cuttack | 9:00 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Bengal vs Mumbai | KIIT Cricket Stadium, Bhubaneshwar | 9:00 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Goa vs Madhya Pradesh | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur | 9:15 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Baroda vs Uttarakhand | RDCA Ground, Raipur | 9:15 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Andhra vs Karnataka | Sector 10 B S P Cricket Stadium, Bhilai | 9:15 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Tamil Nadu vs Uttar Pradesh | KSCA Navule Stadium, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Gujarat vs Vidarbha | KSCA 2, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Chandigarh vs Tripura | JNN College of Engg, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Odisha vs Punjab | Mpca Ground, Morena | 9:30 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Chhattisgarh vs Rajasthan | Captain Roop Singh Stadium, Gwalior | 9:30 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Bihar vs Pondicherry | Scindia School Cricket Ground, Gwalior | 9:30 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Himachal Pradesh vs Maharashtra | DVR Ground, Mulapadu | 9:30 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Haryana vs Saurashtra | CP Ground, Mulapadu | 9:30 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Delhi vs Hyderabad | ACA Cricket Stadium, Mangalagiri | 9:30 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Assam vs Mumbai | DRIEMS Ground, Cuttack | 9:00 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Jharkhand vs Kerala | KIIT Cricket Stadium, Bhubaneshwar | 9:00 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Bengal vs Manipur | Ravenshaw University Ground 1, Cuttack | 9:00 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Andhra vs Uttarakhand | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur | 9:15 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Goa vs Karnataka | RDCA Ground, Raipur | 9:15 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Baroda vs Madhya Pradesh | Sector 10 B S P Cricket Stadium, Bhilai | 9:15 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Tamil Nadu vs Tripura | KSCA 2, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Gujarat vs Uttar Pradesh | JNN College of Engg, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Bihar vs Rajasthan | Mpca Ground, Morena | 9:30 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Odisha vs Pondicherry | Captain Roop Singh Stadium, Gwalior | 9:30 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Chhattisgarh vs Punjab | Scindia School Cricket Ground, Gwalior | 9:30 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Delhi vs Saurashtra | DVR Ground, Mulapadu | 9:30 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Himachal Pradesh vs Hyderabad | CP Ground, Mulapadu | 9:30 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Haryana vs Maharashtra | ACA Cricket Stadium, Mangalagiri | 9:30 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Chandigarh vs Vidarbha | KSCA Navule Stadium, Shimoga | 9:30 AM |
| 4 Jan – 7 Jan 2026 | Pre Quarter Final 2 | Motibaug Cricket Ground, Vadodara | 9:30 AM |
| 4 Jan – 7 Jan 2026 | Pre Quarter Final 1 | Reliance Cricket Stadium, Vadodara | 9:30 AM |
| 11 Jan – 14 Jan 2026 | Quarter Final 4 | Gokulbhai Somabhai Patel Stadium, Nadiad | 9:30 AM |
| 11 Jan – 14 Jan 2026 | Quarter Final 3 | Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, Anand | 9:30 AM |
| 11 Jan – 14 Jan 2026 | Quarter Final 2 | Motibaug Cricket Ground, Vadodara | 9:30 AM |
| 11 Jan – 14 Jan 2026 | Quarter Final 1 | Reliance Cricket Stadium, Vadodara | 9:30 AM |
| 18 Jan – 21 Jan 2026 | Semi Final 2 | Motibaug Cricket Ground, Vadodara | 9:30 AM |
| 18 Jan – 21 Jan 2026 | Semi Final 1 | Reliance Cricket Stadium, Vadodara | 9:30 AM |
| 25 Jan – 28 Jan 2026 | Final | Reliance Cricket Stadium, Vadodara | 9:30 AM |
Plate Category
| Date | Match | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Meghalaya vs Sikkim | Kholvad Gymkhana Ground, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Arunachal Pradesh vs J & K | C K Pithawala Ground, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 7 Dec – 9 Dec 2025 | Mizoram vs Nagaland | Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Mizoram vs Sikkim | Kholvad Gymkhana Ground, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | Arunachal Pradesh vs Nagaland | C K Pithawala Ground, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 12 Dec – 14 Dec 2025 | J & K vs Meghalaya | Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Arunachal Pradesh vs Meghalaya | Kholvad Gymkhana Ground, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | Nagaland vs Sikkim | C K Pithawala Ground, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 18 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 | J & K vs Mizoram | Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Arunachal Pradesh vs Mizoram | Kholvad Gymkhana Ground, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | J & K vs Sikkim | C K Pithawala Ground, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 23 Dec – 25 Dec 2025 | Meghalaya vs Nagaland | Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | J & K vs Nagaland | Kholvad Gymkhana Ground, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Meghalaya vs Mizoram | C K Pithawala Ground, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 29 Dec – 31 Dec 2025 | Arunachal Pradesh vs Sikkim | Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, Surat | 9:30 AM |
| 4 Jan – 7 Jan 2026 | Final | Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, Surat | 9:30 AM |
Vijay Merchant Trophy 2025-26 Teams
The Vijay Merchant Trophy sees participation from nearly all state and regional cricket associations affiliated with the BCCI, divided into the Elite and Plate groups based on their performance in previous seasons.
These associations traditionally field the strongest teams and are often considered the main title contenders:
- Mumbai (A perennial powerhouse in age-group cricket)
- Delhi
- Punjab
- Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
- Uttar Pradesh
- Gujarat
- Madhya Pradesh
Vijay Merchant Trophy 2025-26: Where to Watch
There won’t be any live telecast or streaming of the matches in the Vijay Merchant Trophy 2025-26. You can follow live scores and updates on the official BCCI.tv website.
Suggested Reads:
Conclusion: Vijay Merchant Trophy 2025-26 Starts from Dec 7
The Vijay Merchant Trophy 2025-26 provides a crucial platform for the country’s best U-16 players. This multi-day format helps young cricketers learn and grow, shaping them for higher levels of cricket. Don’t miss out on watching the next generation of Indian cricketing talent!
What matches are you most looking forward to watching in the Elite Group?
FAQs
The Vijay Merchant Trophy is the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) national multi-day (Test match format) cricket championship for Under-16 male cricketers. It is considered the premier pathway tournament at this age level.
The 2025-26 edition of the Vijay Merchant Trophy is scheduled to commence its league stage on December 7, 2025, with the knockout stage extending into January 2026.
Teams are segregated into Elite and Plate Groups based on their performance in the previous season. Elite Group teams compete for the main championship title, while Plate Group teams compete for the Plate trophy, with the chance of earning promotion to the Elite Group in the subsequent season.
The winner of the most recently completed tournament, the 2023-24 Vijay Merchant Trophy, was Mumbai. They defeated Gujarat by an innings and 38 runs.
Typically, matches for the Vijay Merchant Trophy, particularly the league stage, are not live broadcast on major TV channels. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) usually provides live scores and ball-by-ball updates for matches on their official website and dedicated app.
