Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024: Teams, Schedule, Format, Venues, and Key Updates

Named after former Test cricketer Syed Mushtaq Ali, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is a domestic Twenty20 cricket championship in India, organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). 

The SMAT features teams from the prestigious Ranji Trophy, India's premier domestic first-class cricket championship. Tamil Nadu clinched the inaugural title in the 2006–07 season under the leadership of Dinesh Karthik. 

In the 2023–24 edition, Punjab emerged victorious, defeating Baroda in the final. Tamil Nadu holds the record as the most successful team in the tournament's history, with three championship wins.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024: Schedule, Format and Teams 

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 started on November 23, 2024. The tournament will conclude with the finals scheduled for December 15, 2024. This season features 38 teams competing in a domestic T20 format, with matches being held across various venues in India.

Source: ESPNcricinfo

Format

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) follows a structured format designed to promote competitive T20 cricket among domestic teams in India.

The tournament features 38 teams divided into five groups: Groups A, B, and C each consisting of eight teams, while Groups D and E have seven teams each. Each team plays matches within its group in a round-robin format, meaning every team competes against all other teams in their group. 

The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage, which includes quarter-finals, semi-finals, and ultimately the final match to determine the champion. In total, the tournament comprises 136 matches, providing ample opportunities for players to showcase their skills. 

The knockout rounds are particularly exciting as they determine which teams will compete for the title. This format not only ensures fair competition but also allows for the emergence of new talent in Indian cricket.

Teams

The competition includes the following 38 domestic teams, listed by their 2023-24 groups.

Source: ESPNcricinfo

Venue

The SMAT 2024-25 will take place across several venues in India. Here are the specific venues for each group:

• Group A: Matches will be held at the Niranjan Shah Stadium complex in Rajkot.
• Group B: Games will take place at Holkar Stadium and Emerald Heights International School Ground in Indore.
• Group C: Matches are scheduled at Sharad Pawar BKC Academy and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
• Group D: The venue for this group is the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam and the Dr. PVG Raju ACA Sports Complex in Vizianagaram.
• Group E: Matches will be played at Gymkhana Ground and Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

The knockout stage, which includes the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals, will be held in Bengaluru, culminating in the final match on December 15, 2024

SMAT 2024: Key Updates & Highlights

• Saurashtra achieved a significant victory over Tamil Nadu, winning by 58 runs. 
• They scored 235 runs for five wickets, with Harvik Desai, Ruchit Ahir, and Sammar Gajjar each contributing half a century.
• Tamil Nadu struggled in response, managing only 177 runs, marking their fourth consecutive defeat in the tournament.
• Shardul Thakur made a strong statement with a remarkable performance, taking four wickets for just 25 runs against Services. 
• His efforts helped Mumbai secure a convincing 39-run victory, showcasing his return to form after a challenging start to the tournament.
• Madhya Pradesh edged Hyderabad by just seven runs in a tense match. 
• After setting a target of 179, they managed to restrict Hyderabad to 171 runs, despite a promising start from their batsmen.
• Shreyas Iyer scored an impressive 71 runs off 39 balls for Mumbai against Maharashtra, leading his team to victory. 
• His innings included eight fours and three sixes and helped Mumbai chase down a target of 172 runs in just 17.1 overs.
• Rajat Patidar contributed significantly with a score of 62 runs off 37 balls, guiding Madhya Pradesh to a total of 188/8 against Punjab. 
• His partnership with Harpreet Singh was crucial, as they added 112 runs together after a shaky start.
• Despite a strong effort from Punjab, where Abhishek Sharma scored 61 runs, they fell short by nine runs, losing the match to Madhya Pradesh.
• In their match against Services, Mumbai posted a total of 192/4, with notable contributions from Suryakumar Yadav (50 runs off 32 balls) and Shivam Dube (36 runs off 23 balls) as they secured another victory.
• The tournament has seen several high-profile players in action, including Hardik Pandya, Mohammed Shami, and Sanju Samson, making it a highly anticipated event leading up to the IPL auction.
• Fans can watch the matches live on the Jio Cinema app and website, ensuring broad accessibility to this exciting tournament.

Who are the Top Performers in the SMAT 2024-25?

The top performers are as follows:

#1. Shreyas Iyer (Mumbai):

Iyer has been outstanding, scoring a total of 233 runs in three innings, with an average of 116.50 and a strike rate of 204.38. His highlights include a breathtaking 130 off 57 balls* against Goa and a solid 71 off 39 balls against Maharashtra.

#2. Hardik Pandya (Baroda)

Pandya has also made a significant impact, accumulating 231 runs in four matches at an average of 115.50 and a strike rate of 211.92. His notable innings include a match-winning 74 off 35 balls* against Gujarat, where he hit four consecutive sixes in one over.

#3. Tilak Varma (Hyderabad)

Varma set the tournament record with the highest individual score in SMAT history, scoring 151 runs off 67 balls against Meghalaya. His innings included an impressive 14 fours and 10 sixes, leading his team to a massive total of 284 runs.

#4. Ishan Kishan (Jharkhand)

Kishan delivered an explosive performance with an unbeaten 77 runs off just 23 balls against Arunachal Pradesh, showcasing his ability to accelerate the scoring.

#5. Rajat Patidar (Madhya Pradesh)

Patidar scored 62 runs off 37 balls against Punjab, helping his team secure a crucial victory.

#6. Shardul Thakur (Mumbai)

Thakur made a strong comeback with a remarkable bowling performance, taking four wickets for just 25 runs against Services, contributing significantly to Mumbai's victory.

These players have demonstrated exceptional skill and have been instrumental in their teams' performances during the tournament's early stages.

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