3 players from India's BGT 2024-25 squad available immediately for Vijay Hazare Trophy knockouts: Reports

The knockout phase of the Vijay Hazare Trophy is set to commence on January 9. A few players from India's Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 squad are also set to take part in the knockout phase of the domestic tournament.

The Indian team will depart from Sydney on Wednesday (January 8) after suffering a 1-3 series defeat and failing to retain the BGT. While some players are expected to rest and gear up for the upcoming limited-overs home series against England, three players from the BGT 2024-25 squad will participate in the knockout phase of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25.

According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, Devdutt Padikkal, Prasidh Krishna, and Abhimanyu Easwaran will play for their respective sides in the knockouts of the Vijay Hazare Trophy. KL Rahul, who was also expected to turn out for Karnataka, has asked for rest. Meanwhile, all-rounder Washington Sundar may appear for the semi-final clash, should his side (Tamil Nadu) progress in the knockouts.

Devdutt Padikkal and Prasidh Krishna fly out on Wednesday. They will join Karnataka's squad by January 10. Karnataka face Baroda in the quarter-final on January 11.

On the other hand, Abhimanyu Easwaran left Australia on Tuesday (January 7). He was given special permission as the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) wanted him to join the squad as soon as possible. Bengal are set to take on Haryana in the pre-quarter-final.

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Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 knockouts schedule

The group stage of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 ended on Sunday (January 5). The knockout phase of the tournament will begin on Thursday (January 9).

Haryana will take on Bengal in the first pre-quarter-final. Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu will contest the second pre-quarter-final. Both these matches will take place on January 9.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra will take on Punjab directly in the quarter-final clash. Karnataka will face Baroda in the other confirmed quarter-final game. Both games will be played on January 11.

Winners from both the pre-quarter-finals will face Gujarat and Vidarbha in the other two quarter-final matches respectively. The two semi-finals will be played on January 15 and 16, while the final will take place on January 18.