Haryana vs Himachal Pradesh, RNJ ELITE, 2026-27, Today Match Prediction

HYA vs HPH Match Prediction & Analysis

Haryana and Himachal Pradesh open their Elite Group D campaigns at the Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium in Rohtak on Sunday. Both sides endured disappointing 2025-26 seasons, but it is Haryana who enter with home advantage. Himachal, though, boast a stronger head-to-head record, having won two of the last five meetings between the sides.

Haryana will rely on their experienced core, with Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel and Jayant Yadav providing international pedigree in the bowling attack, while Ankit Kumar leads the batting line-up. Himachal, captained by Pukhraj Mann, have brought in Nehal Wadhera from Punjab to strengthen their middle order, though his availability for the opening fixture remains uncertain. With a settled squad and home conditions in their favour, Haryana hold the early edge.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Haryana Preview

Four wins and three defeats in seven matches earned Haryana 24 points last season, but third place in Elite Group C was not enough to reach the quarter-finals. They beat Railways, Tripura, Gujarat and Assam, then lost heavily to Uttarakhand, Services and Bengal. Batting fragility was the problem in those defeats. They were bowled out for 111 against Services, with Amit Shukla taking 8/27, and they made 100 and 105 in an 188-run loss to Bengal that ended their campaign. 

Nikhil Kashyap offered spin support with 26 wickets in six matches, including a five-wicket haul, and Dheeru Singh top-scored with 70 against Uttarakhand. Anshul Kamboj is the headline seamer, having taken all ten wickets in an innings against Kerala in 2024, though his availability is worth confirming. Ankit Kumar captained last season, and Yashvardhan Dalal keeps wicket after making his first-class debut in February 2025. 

Parth Vats, who made 106 not out against Railways, is not in this squad. Himanshu Rana and Ankit Kumar should open, with Kapil Hooda and Samant Jakhar adding middle-order depth. Aman Kumar, Vaibhav Arora and Anuj Thakral complete the seam group.

Haryana Predicted Playing XI:

Ankit Kumar (c), Himanshu Rana, Dheeru Singh, Kapil Hooda, Yashvardhan Dalal (wk), Samant Jakhar, Anshul Kamboj, Nikhil Kashyap, Aman Kumar, Anuj Thakral, Vaibhav Arora

Himachal Pradesh Preview

Seven matches without a win left Himachal Pradesh eighth in Elite Group D last season, with nine points from two defeats and five draws. Pukhraj Mann gives them a reliable starting point and was also the team’s leading run-scorer in the previous season. He made 77 in the first innings against Jammu and Kashmir, the side that went on to win the title, and he finished unbeaten on 76 against Delhi, as HP held out for a draw while chasing 343. 

Akash Vasisht adds depth and variety. He scored 62 against Delhi and 45 against J&K, and his left-arm spin gives the side a second slow bowler alongside Mann. Arpit Guleria returned 4/106 from 27 overs in the Delhi game, and Divesh Sharma also took a wicket in that match. 

The squad looks different this time. Ankush Bains, who kept wicket last season, and Ankit Kalsi, who made an unbeaten 182 against Chhattisgarh, are not in the group. Innesh Mahajan should keep wickets and open, while Nehal Wadhera adds top-order depth. Mukul Negi and Aryaman Singh complete the middle order.

Himachal Pradesh Predicted Playing XI:

Innesh Mahajan (wk), Nehal Wadhera, Pukhraj Mann (c), Mukul Negi, Aryaman Singh, Shubham Arora, Akash Vasisht, Arpit Guleria, Divesh Sharma, Nitin Sharma, Vaibhav Kalta

Weather Conditions

Rohtak is expected to remain hot throughout the match from October 11-14, with daytime temperatures around 34-35°C and overnight lows of 23-24°C. Forecasts show a possible afternoon thunderstorm on October 11, but conditions should turn mostly sunny over the following three days, with minimal rain interruptions likely.

HYA vs HPH Pitch Report

Chaudhary Bansi Lal Cricket Stadium in Lahli, Rohtak, is Haryana’s home ground. It made its first-class debut with a Haryana v Andhra game in November 2006. The high water table keeps the pitch and outfield green, which tends to help seamers early, although batters can prosper once set. Odisha made 529/6 declared here in 2015-16, with Natraj Behera scoring an unbeaten 255, the highest individual score at the venue. At the other extreme, Tripura were bowled out for 49 against Haryana in 2019-20. A first innings score of around 350 will give the team a solid base. 

Toss: To Bowl

Both teams may prefer to bowl first if they win the toss at Rohtak. The Bansi Lal Stadium is known for its assistance to seamers, with moisture and grass potentially offering early movement. However, a good first-innings total remains important in a four-day game, so the decision will depend on the pitch on the morning.