Delhi vs Railways Match Prediction

Delhi face Railways in a Group D clash at the KSCA Cricket Ground in Alur on 6 January 2026. Delhi sit second in the group with a W4-L1 record (16 points), their only defeat coming against table-toppers Saurashtra. Railways have a respectable W3-L2 record (12 points) but lost their most recent match to Saurashtra on January 3, suggesting a dip in form at a crucial stage of the tournament.

Team Context and Recent Form

Delhi bring firepower that few domestic teams can match. Virat Kohli returns to the squad for this fixture after a brief break, adding considerable batting depth to an already formidable lineup. Kohli's presence transforms Delhi's top order, bringing experience and class that few domestic attacks can handle. Rishabh Pant has been in explosive touch, smashing 67* off just 37 balls against Services in their last outing. The left-hander's ability to accelerate at will makes him a nightmare for bowling attacks in the middle overs.

The combination of Kohli's accumulator style and Pant's aggressive approach makes Delhi's top order extremely difficult to contain. Ayush Badoni provides middle-order solidity with his ability to rotate strike and clear boundaries when needed. Navdeep Saini leads a disciplined bowling attack that has been consistently taking wickets throughout the tournament.

Railways, captained by Upendra Yadav, have competed well this tournament but their recent loss to Saurashtra raises serious questions about momentum heading into this match. Their batting lineup lacks the star quality of Delhi, and facing Kohli and Pant in form presents a significant psychological challenge. However, Railways have shown throughout the Vijay Hazare Trophy that they can upset bigger teams when their bowling unit clicks and builds pressure through dot balls.

Key Players to Watch

Player	Team	Role	Form
Virat Kohli	Delhi	Top-order batter	Returns fresh, proven domestic record
Rishabh Pant	Delhi	Wicketkeeper-batter	67* off 37 vs Services, SR 181
Navdeep Saini	Delhi	Fast bowler	Leading wicket-taker for Delhi
Upendra Yadav	Railways	Captain/WK	Experienced campaigner, key with bat

Our Prediction

Delhi are the clear favourites with Kohli's return adding significant batting depth. Their only loss came against tournament leaders Saurashtra, the same opposition that defeated Railways on January 3. Delhi's combination of international experience and current form gives them a 72% probability of winning. The gap in individual quality between the two squads is substantial, with Delhi boasting multiple India internationals across batting and bowling departments.

Betting Value

NO BET. Delhi at 1.40 implies 71.4% probability, almost exactly matching our 72% assessment. The market has correctly priced Kohli's return and Delhi's squad strength. Railways at 2.70 implies 37.0% against our 28% assessment, offering -9.0% edge (negative value). Neither side offers betting value in this fixture. This is an analysis-only match with no wager recommendation. Fair odds for Delhi would be approximately 1.39, making 1.40 essentially accurate pricing.