NECO Master Blaster vs Pagariya Strikers, VPL, Today Match Prediction

NMB vs PAS Match Prediction & Analysis

Teams are all geared up for another exciting VPL season. The defending champions, Neco Master Blaster, will face last year's finalist, Pagariya Strikers Nagpur, in a high-voltage encounter to kickstart the season. Neco Master Blaster aims for a perfect start to build on the momentum, as the Pagariya Strikers Nagpur look to avenge the loss they suffered in last season's title clash. 

The Pagariya Strikers Nagpur enjoyed an excellent campaign last year, winning all their games leading up to the final. However, the team had a poor outing in the most important game. They will take lessons from that loss and aim to perform better. Neco Master Blaster will draw inspiration from last year's win, making it a close contest.

RECENT PERFORMANCE

NMB

PAS

HEAD TO HEAD

TEAMS PREVIEW

NECO Master Blaster Preview

Jitesh Sharma and his team aim to pick up where they left off last season. While the team wasn't at its best during the league stage, it peaked at the right time, winning the inaugural title. Incidentally, they had defeated the Pagariya Strikers Nagpur in the final. The team will draw inspiration from that win and make a grand start to their campaign this season. 

Vedant Dighade and Adhyayan Daga delivered strong starts last season, and the team expects them to return to form. Aryan Meshram was the leading run-getter in 2025 with 358 runs, and the team expects runs from Addhyan Rauthan and Jitesh Sharma. The team expects quick runs from Gaurav Dhoble and Kartik Rathod in the lower middle order.  

They have a strong bowling attack. The team expects Kartik Rathod and Praful Hinge to deliver early breakthroughs as Pagariya Strikers Nagpur have a strong batting line-up. Shanmesh Deshmukh picked up 13 wickets last season and must do well in the middle overs with Gaurav Dhoble. Sanjay Raghunath and Ananmay Jaiswal add variety to the attack, making it strong. 

Interesting Stats 

1. Aryan Meshram made 358 runs last season at an average of 59.67  
2. Sanmesh Deshmukh picked up 13 wickets at an average of 20.77

NECO Master Blaster Predicted Playing XI:

Jitesh Sharma (c & wk), Vedant Dighade, Adhyayan Daga, Aryan Meshram, Addhyan Rauthan, Praful Hinge, Kartik Rathod, Shanmesh Deshmukh, Gaurav Dhoble, Ananmay Jaiswal, Sanjay Raghunath, Akash Kombe (Impact Player)

NECO Master Blaster Actual Playing XI:

Vedant Dighade, Gaurav Farde, Shanmesh Deshmukh, Dipesh Parwani, Gaurav Dhoble, Adhyayan Daga, Aryan Meshram, Ananmay Jaiswal, Shantanu Rajput , Tushar Kadu, Vaibhav chandekar, Abhishek Gupta

Pagariya Strikers Preview

Yash Kadam and his team aim to overcome the upset of the last season. They dominated the league stage and the semifinal, winning six games in a row but had a poor outing in the final. A poor show with the ball let them down in the final. Kadam and his team will look to avenge last season's final loss and start the season with a win.  

MD Faiz was the best batter for the team last year with 272 runs, and he must deliver an electrifying start with his experienced partner, Dhruv Shorey. Aditya Ahuja, Shivam Deshmukh, and Pushpak Gujar form a strong middle order, and the team expects partnerships between them. Yash Kadam must take the team to a big total alongside Vinesh Tiwari in the lower middle order.  

Lalit Yadav was the best bowler last season with 13 wickets to his name and aims to make early inroads alongside Dipesh Parwani. The middle overs will be crucial, and the team expects tight spells from Yash Kadam and Pushpak Gujar. Suraj Rai and Kaustubh Salve must deliver tight spells in the supporting roles for the team to win.  

Interesting Stats 

1. MD Faiz scored 272 runs last season at an average of 45.33 
2. Lalit Yadav picked 13 wickets at an average of 13.23

Pagariya Strikers Predicted Playing XI:

Yash Kadam (c), Dhruv Shorey, MD Faiz, Aditya Ahuja, Shivam Deshmukh (wk), Pushpak Gujar, Vishesh Tiwari, Suraj Rai, Ashit Singh, Lalit Yadav, Dipesh Parwani, Kaustubh Salve (Impact Player)

Pagariya Strikers Actual Playing XI:

Md Faiz, Aditya Ahuja, R Sanjay, Ravikumar Samarth, Shivam Deshmukh, Yash Kadam , Kaustubh Salve, Sooraj Rai, Lalit Manoharsingh Yadav, Pushpak Gujar, Sanskar Chavate, Swapnil Singh

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

We expect hot and dry conditions in Nagpur. The skies will be clear, and the temperature will be around 34°C at the start of the game, with humidity around 26%. Bowlers won't have much assistance in these conditions, and batters will have it easy.

NMB vs PAS Pitch Report

VCA Stadium in Nagpur has shorter boundaries, but the outfield is heavy. Batting conditions are good here as the ball comes to the bat nicely, and we have seen big scores being made here in the past. The wicket aids the fast bowlers with the new ball. There isn't much on this track for the spinners.

Toss: To Bowl

In the past, we have seen most sides win at this venue when bowling first. The team chasing the score has won the last six out of eight games. Defending totals is always a big challenge at this venue. The team winning the toss shall opt to bowl first and restrict their opponents to a small total.