The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT 2025) continues to see big scores from the batters. At Ahmedabad’s Motera Stadium, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who is currently out of Team India, played a brilliant attacking knock. On Ground-B of the Narendra Modi International Stadium, the Jharkhand captain smashed the Saurashtra bowlers for a powerful 93 runs off just 50 balls. Unfortunately, the Mumbai Indians star missed his century by only 7 runs. Earlier in the tournament, he had already scored a century. So far, he has been batting with a strike rate of over 250 this season. Opening the innings, he hit strong shots right from the start and smashed 11 fours and 3 sixes before Jaydev Unadkat dismissed him.
With this knock, Ishan has moved to third place in the list of highest run-scorers in SMAT 2025. In 4 matches, he has scored 217 runs with 1 century and 1 fifty. Ahead of him are 18-year-old Ayush Mahatre with 253 runs and K. Chandala with 229 runs. Ishan has hit 24 fours and 11 sixes in the tournament so far, with an impressive strike rate of 263.29. Meanwhile, on Ground-A of the same stadium, Tripura created a big upset by defeating Delhi by 12 runs. Tripura scored 157/5 in 20 overs, and in response, Delhi could only reach 145/8.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi's Third T20 Century of 2025 in Just 15 Innings
At just 14 years old, Vaibhav Suryavanshi is already creating shockwaves in cricket. He has scored centuries in the IPL, Asia Cup Rising Stars, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and even U-19 cricket. On Tuesday, he became the youngest-ever centurion in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with a superb hundred off 58 balls against Maharashtra. Even though it was slower than his usual explosive style, he normally strikes at over 217, he has already hit two ultra-fast centuries off just 32 and 35 balls. With such consistency at such a young age, he has surely caught the attention of India’s selectors, even though he can only play for India after he turns 16.
Despite his age, Suryavanshi is already performing like a mature professional. In First Class cricket, he scored a solid 93 against Meghalaya when senior players around him failed. He continued his form with a blazing 144 off 42 balls in the Asia Cup Rising Stars. And on Tuesday at Eden Gardens, he was the only one who stood tall for Bihar on a slow pitch, carrying the innings with an unbeaten 108 off 61 balls. With three centuries in 2025 across just 15 innings, the young Rajasthan Royals opener is proving that he’s not just a wonderkid, he’s a future star in the making.
Hardik Pandya Returns With a Match-Winning Knock
Team India got a big boost ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup as Hardik Pandya finally returned from injury. He had been out since the Asia Cup 2025 with a quadricep injury, missing the Australia tour and the South Africa ODIs. On Tuesday, he made his comeback for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Although he struggled with the ball and looked rusty, giving away 52 runs in four overs, he did manage to break a dangerous partnership by dismissing Anmolpreet Singh.
Hardik, however, made up for it in a brilliant way with the bat. Chasing 222, Baroda was in trouble until Hardik played a powerful unbeaten 77 off 42 balls, hitting 7 fours and 4 sixes. He led his team to victory in the final over and showed why he’s so important for India. With other all-rounder options injured or inconsistent, Hardik’s return brings huge relief and gives India their best match-winning all-rounder back right before a major tournament.
Sarfaraz Khan Hits First T20 Century, Strengthens India Selection Claim
Sarfaraz Khan scored a brilliant century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Tuesday. This was his first-ever T20 hundred in what was his 97th match in 11 years. With the IPL 2026 auction coming up, this innings has surely caught the attention of franchises. At the same time, Sarfaraz has also sent a strong message to the selectors, Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir, who have repeatedly overlooked him for Team India. Powered by his century, Mumbai posted a huge total of 220/4 against Assam. Ayush Mahatre (21) and Ajinkya Rahane (42) gave Mumbai a solid start, while Suryakumar Yadav scored 20 off 12 balls. Sarfaraz stayed till the end, smashing an unbeaten 100 off 47 balls with 8 fours and 7 sixes. Sairaj Patil also remained not out on 25 off 9 balls.
Despite consistently performing in domestic cricket, Sarfaraz has not been picked for India’s Test series against England, West Indies, or South Africa. In First-Class cricket, he has scored 4,863 runs in 60 matches at an impressive average of 63.15, including 16 centuries and 16 fifties. His highest score is an unbeaten 301. His latest T20 century once again proves his talent and strengthens his case for a national call-up.
