The Vijay Hazare Trophy is India’s top domestic one-day cricket tournament. Named after the great Vijay Hazare, the competition brings together some of the country’s best limited-overs players. Bowlers here have delivered some unforgettable performances,a bunch of people still talk about today.
Big bowling spells in this tournament can turn a game on its head. They show off not just talent, but grit and nerves when it counts. You see bowlers from all over India, each with their own style, stepping up and leaving their mark on the tournament.
10 Best Bowling Figures in Vijay Hazare Trophy History
Here are the bowlers who have recorded the most impressive bowling figures in the tournament’s history:
| Rank | Player | Figures | Team | Opposition | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | S Nadeem | 8/10 | Jharkhand | Rajasthan | Chennai | 20 Sep 2018 |
| 2 | AN Guleria | 8/50 | Himachal | Gujarat | Chandigarh | 5 Dec 2023 |
| 3 | DA Jadeja | 7/10 | Saurashtra | Manipur | Delhi | 13 Nov 2022 |
| 4 | Shoaib Ahmed | 7/15 | Hyderabad | Andhra | Visakhapatnam | 21 Feb 2009 |
| 5 | A Negi | 7/16 | Meghalaya | Arunachal | Anand | 24 Sep 2018 |
| 6 | Sandeep Sharma | 7/19 | Punjab | Haryana | Vadodara | 6 Oct 2019 |
| 7 | Shabbir Khan | 7/30 | Bihar | Manipur | Ranchi | 6 Jan 2026 |
| 8 | Shivam Sharma | 7/31 | UP | Bihar | Alur | 24 Feb 2021 |
| 9 | SB Pradhan | 7/39 | Odisha | Jharkhand | Jadavpur Uni | 22 Feb 2013 |
| 10 | AA Chakraborty | 7/40 | Tripura | Bengal | Nadaun | 13 Feb 2018 |
1. Shahbaz Nadeem
Shahbaz Nadeem tops the list with his extraordinary figures of 8 wickets for just 10 runs. The Jharkhand left-arm spinner achieved this feat against Rajasthan in Chennai on September 20, 2018. He bowled his full quota of 10 overs, including 4 maidens, and finished with an economy rate of 1.00.
This performance remains the best bowling figures in Vijay Hazare Trophy history. Nadeem’s ability to turn the ball sharply and maintain accuracy throughout his spell destroyed the Rajasthan batting lineup. His spell included several batsmen who departed without scoring.
2. Arpit Guleria
Arpit Guleria claimed the second-best figures when he took 8 wickets for 50 runs for Himachal Pradesh against Gujarat. This performance came recently on December 5, 2023, in Chandigarh. Guleria bowled 9 overs without any maidens but maintained an economy of 5.55.
The young bowler showed remarkable control and variation to trouble the Gujarat batsmen throughout his spell. His performance helped Himachal Pradesh secure a memorable victory in the tournament.
3. Dharmendrasinh Jadeja
Dharmendrasinh Jadeja produced a sensational spell of 7 wickets for just 10 runs for Saurashtra against Manipur. This performance came in Delhi on November 13, 2022. He bowled his complete 10 overs with 6 maidens and an economy rate of 1.00.
Jadeja’s left-arm spin proved too difficult for the Manipur batsmen to handle. His ability to maintain pressure through dot balls and then strike at regular intervals made this one of the most dominant bowling performances in the tournament.
4. Shoaib Ahmed
Shoaib Ahmed recorded figures of 7 wickets for 15 runs playing for Hyderabad against Andhra in Visakhapatnam. This spell came on February 21, 2009, making it one of the earlier instances of exceptional bowling in the tournament. He bowled 8.1 overs with 1 maiden.
Ahmed’s pace and accuracy troubled the Andhra batsmen throughout the innings. His economy rate of 1.83 shows how he combined wicket-taking ability with exceptional control.
5. Abhay Negi
Abhay Negi took 7 wickets for 16 runs representing Meghalaya against Arunachal in Anand on September 24, 2018. Bowling just 6 overs, he maintained an economy of 2.66 while destroying the opposition batting order.
This performance highlighted the growing competitiveness of teams from India’s northeastern states in domestic cricket. Negi’s spell helped Meghalaya achieve a comprehensive victory.
6. Sandeep Sharma
Sandeep Sharma claimed 7 wickets for 19 runs for Punjab against Haryana in Vadodara on October 6, 2019. The medium pacer bowled 8 overs with 2 maidens, finishing with an economy rate of 2.37.
Known for his ability to swing the new ball, Sharma used the conditions perfectly to trouble the Haryana batsmen. His control and movement made scoring difficult throughout his spell.
7. Shabbir Khan
Shabbir Khan’s 7 wickets for 30 runs came as recently as January 6, 2026, playing for Bihar against Manipur in Ranchi. He bowled 8 overs with 1 maiden and maintained an economy of 3.75.
This performance shows Bihar cricket’s continued development and Khan’s emergence as a quality bowler in domestic cricket. His spell proved decisive in Bihar’s victory.
8. Shivam Sharma
Representing Uttar Pradesh, Shivam Sharma took 7 wickets for 31 runs against Bihar in Alur on February 24, 2021. He bowled his full 10 overs without any maidens but kept his economy to 3.10.
Sharma’s consistent line and length troubled the Bihar batsmen throughout. His performance demonstrated UP’s strong bowling resources in domestic cricket.
9. Suryakant Basudev Pradhan
Suryakant Basudev Pradhan claimed 7 wickets for 39 runs for Odisha against Jharkhand at Jadavpur University on February 22, 2013. He bowled 8 overs without maidens and finished with an economy of 4.87.
This performance came during Odisha’s rise in Indian domestic cricket. Pradhan’s spell helped establish Odisha as a competitive force in the tournament.
10. Abhijit Ajit Chakraborty
Abhijit Ajit Chakrabortyrounds out the top ten with his 7 wickets for 40 runs for Tripura against Bengal. This performance came in Nadaun on February 13, 2018. He bowled 7 overs with an economy rate of 5.71.
Chakraborty’s spell against a strong Bengal side showed Tripura’s growing strength in domestic cricket. His ability to take wickets against quality opposition marked him as a bowler to watch.
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Conclusion: Shahbaz Nadeem Has The Best Figures In Vijay Hazare Trophy
These ten bowling performances represent the pinnacle of achievement in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. From Shahbaz Nadeem’s incredible 8 for 10 to other seven-wicket hauls, these bowlers have shown exceptional skill and temperament. Their performances span different years and showcase bowling excellence from various states across India.
The variety in bowling styles, from spinners to medium pacers, demonstrates that success comes through skill rather than any particular approach. These remarkable figures continue to inspire young bowlers participating in India’s premier domestic one-day competition. As the tournament continues to grow, these performances set the benchmark for future generations of Indian bowlers.
