It was only last December when Ishan Kishan was criticized for not turning up to the domestic cricket even after not playing for the Indian side, which saw his central contract being terminated. Now, a year later, he has led the Jharkhand side to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26 victory.

In that final, Ishan Kishan smashed a fine knock of 101 runs in just 49 deliveries with the help of six boundaries and 10 sixes at a strike rate of 206, which saw them lay down the platform of posting 262/3 at the end in their allotted 20 overs of the first inning. Kishan’s father looked back at the tough phase of his son.

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“The boy (Ishan) who always brought a smile to everyone's face stopped smiling. As parents, my wife and I used to cry. It was a difficult phase, and it has passed. He left Patna at the age of 12 and moved to Ranchi for cricket, and people were saying he had no interest in playing for India.” Ishan Kishan’s father said in an interaction with Times of India (TOI).

Ishan Kishan’s father recalls his son’s tough phase

With the superb knock, it will be a chance for the wicket-keeper opening batter to break into the national side as a potential replacement for Sanju Samson, who keeps getting ignored in the shortest format by the management.

“When I was not selected in the Indian team, I felt quite bad because I was doing well. But I told myself that if I am not selected with this sort of performance, then maybe I have to do more. Maybe I have to make my team win. Maybe we have to do well as a unit.” Kishan addressed a discussion with Sportstar.

“It is definitely the happiest moment, because we have never won domestic tournaments under my captaincy. And, this was something where you had to prove yourself. There are times when you doubt yourself, but when you win it, it’s all done, and you know what quality you have, what changes you can make to your game, how you can turn the game around.” The southpaw noted.

Ishan Kishan was criticized massively when he didn’t turn up for the domestic cricket, which saw his central contract being terminated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Now, he has led his Jharkhand side to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26 trophy after winning the title against Haryana by 609 runs.

Ishan Kishan slammed a fine knock of 101 runs in 49 balls at a strike rate of 206 with the help of six boundaries and 10 sixes, which laid the strong platform for them to post 262/3 later in the allotted 20 overs of the first innings. He revealed how the Bahubali movie inspired him during the tough period.

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“There was a dialogue which said, ‘Wherever a king goes, he remains a king.’ So, that is the simple thing. Wherever you are, in whatever situation, you shouldn’t stop believing in yourself.” Kishan expressed on Sportstar.

Ishan Kishan takes motivation from Bahubali movie

With Shubman Gill’s form not good in the shortest format and Sanju Samson warming the benches, Ishan can think of making his way back into India’s T20I side. Moreover, he brings the wicket-keeping option along with opening and the left-handed angle into the equation.

“When I was not selected in the Indian team, I felt quite bad because I was doing well. But I told myself that if I am not selected with this sort of performance, then maybe I have to do more. Maybe I have to make my team win. Maybe we have to do well as a unit.” Kishan addressed during the same interaction.

“It is definitely the happiest moment, because we have never won domestic tournaments under my captaincy. And, this was something where you had to prove yourself. There are times when you doubt yourself, but when you win it, it’s all done, and you know what quality you have, what changes you can make to your game, how you can turn the game around.” The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) batter concluded that his focus now moves to the Vijay Hazare Trophy (VHT) 2025/26.

Jharkhand created history in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 by winning their first title in this T20 format after thrashing Haryana in the Final by 69 runs. In the Final, after Jharkhand slammed 262/3 in 20 overs, Haryana replied with 193 all out in 18.3 overs. 

Watch: Ishan Kishan’s special dance after winning SMAT 2025/26 for Jharkhand goes viral

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26: Key Stats

• Jharkhand won the SMAT 2025-26 Final by 69 runs against Haryana. It was the largest SMAT Final win by runs, while the previous record was winning by 41 runs by Delhi against Rajasthan in the 2018 Final. 
• Jharkhand won their first SMAT title. They became the 13th different team to win this title.
• Haryana reached the SMAT Final for the first time and finished as runners-up.
• Jharkhand captain Ishan Kishan won the Player of the Match award in SMAT 2025-26 Final for scoring a match-winning century. After Suresh Raina (Uttar Pradesh, 2016) and Pradeep Sangwan (Delhi, 2018), Ishan became the third captain to win the Player of the Match award in an SMAT Final. 
• Jharkhand player Anukul Roy won the Player of the Tournament award for his brilliant all-round performances in the SMAT 2025-26, where he scored 303 runs and picked up 18 wickets. 
• With his century in the SMAT 2025-26 Final, Ishan Kishan recorded his fifth century in SMAT history, the joint record for the most SMAT centuries by equalling Abhishek Sharma's five SMAT hundreds record. 
• Punjab's 310/5 vs Bengal in the Elite Group C was the second-highest SMAT total and fourth-highest T20 total. 
• The Punjab vs Bengal Elite Group C match experienced a match aggregate total of 508 runs, which was the highest match aggregate total in SMAT history. The previous record was 474 in the Goa vs Mumbai Group E match during the 2024 edition. 
• Punjab cricketer Abhishek Sharma's 148 vs Bengal in the Elite Group C match was the second-highest score in SMAT history, while the record is 151 by Tilak Varma (Hyderabad) vs Meghalaya in Group A of the 2024 edition. 
• Madhya Pradesh bowler Arshad Khan's 6 for 9 against Chandigarh were the best bowling figures in SMAT history. The previous record was 6/13 by T Ravi Teja from Hyderabad against Chhattisgarh in the 2023 edition (Group A) and Arzan Nagwaswalla from Gujarat against Railways in the 2023 edition (Group C). 

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26: Top Records

Team Records

Highest Totals

• Punjab: 310/5 vs Bengal (Elite Group C)
• Jharkhand: 262/3 vs Haryana (Final)
• Haryana: 246/7 vs Hyderabad (Super League Group A)

Lowest Completed Totals

• Gujarat: 73 all out vs Baroda (Elite Group C)
• Meghalaya: 81 all out vs Nagaland (Plate Group)
• Puducherry: 83 all out vs Gujarat (Elite Group C)

Biggest Wins (By Runs)

• Karnataka: won by 145 runs vs Tamil Nadu (Elite Group D)
• Haryana: won by 124 runs vs Hyderabad (Super League Group A)
• Nagaland: won by 117 runs vs Arunachal Pradesh (Plate Group)

Biggest Wins (By Wickets)

• Kerala: won by 10 wickets vs Odisha (Elite Group A)
• Mumbai: won by 9 wickets vs Andhra (Elite Group A)
• Gujarat: won by 9 wickets vs Puducherry (Elite Group C)
• Sikkim: won by 9 wickets vs Arunachal Pradesh (Plate Group)
• Mumbai: won by 9 wickets vs Odisha (Elite Group A)
• Hyderabad: won by 9 wickets vs Mumbai (Super League Group A)

Batting Records

Most Runs

• Ishan Kishan (Jharkhand): 517 runs
• Ankit Kumar (Haryana): 448 runs
• Kumar Kushagra (Jharkhand): 422 runs

Multiple Centuries

• Ayush Mhatre (Mumbai): 2 centuries in six innings
• Ishan Kishan (Jharkhand): 2 centuries in 10 innings

Most Fifty+ Scores

• Yashvardhan Dalal (Haryana): 5 half-centuries in 10 innings
• Ankit Kumar (Haryana): 5 half-centuries in 11 innings

Highest Scores

• Abhishek Sharma (Punjab): 148 off 52 balls vs Bengal (Elite Group C)
• Abhimanyu Easwaran (Bengal): 130 not out off 66 balls vs Punjab (Elite Group C)
• Salil Arora (Punjab): 125 not out off 45 balls vs Jharkhand (Super League Group B)

Bowling Records

Most Wickets

• Sushant Mishra (Jharkhand): 22 wickets
• Ashok Sharma (Rajasthan): 22 wickets
• Anshul Kamboj (Haryana): 21 wickets

Most 4+ wickets

• Yash Thakur (Vidarbha): 2 times in seven innings
• Mohammed Shami (Bengal): 2 times in seven innings
• Mukhtar Hussain (Assam): 2 times in seven innings
• Ashok Sharma (Rajasthan): 2 times in 10 innings

Best bowling figures in an innings

• Arshad Khan (Madhya Pradesh): 4-1-9-6 vs Chandigarh (Elite Group B)
• Mukhtar Hussain (Assam): 4-0-20-6 vs Chhattisgarh (Elite Group A)
• Yash Thakur (Vidarbha): 3.2-0-16-5 vs Kerala (Elite Group A)

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26 final Took place between Jharkhand and Haryana at the Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium in Pune. Jharkhand have been in tremendous form in this campaign under the leadership of Ishan Kishan, while Haryana have shown their comparative skills in every do-or-die clash of the competition.

At the end of the game, the Jharkhand side won by a massive margin of 69 runs by bundling out the Haryana side for 193 in 18.3 overs. Ishan Kishan displayed dancing skills before the team while delivering the trophy to them. The moment rapidly went viral on social media platforms.

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Earlier in the game, Haryana’s captain, Ankit Kumar, won the toss and decided to bowl first, expecting the dew to have a massive effect late in the evening for the second innings. His decision proved right as Jharkhand lost Virat Singh for two runs in as many deliveries in the opening over of the first innings against Anshul Kamboj. However, Kishan was in no mood to slow down with the bat inside the power play.

Ishan Kishan’s special dance on winning SMAT 2025/26 goes viral

Kishan ended up with a 101-run knock in just 49 deliveries at a strike rate of over 200 with the help of six boundaries and ten sixes besides sharing a partnership of 177 for the second wicket with Kumar Kusaka, who himself nailed a fine knock of 81 runs in 38 balls at a strike rate of 213, thanks to his eight boundaries and five sixes.

Watch the video here: 

Moments to cherish 🤗

Jharkhand Captain Ishan Kishan receives the coveted Trophy from BCCI Hon. Treasurer Mr. A. Raghuram Bhat 🏆👏

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/3fGWDCTjoo#SMAT | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @ishankishan51 pic.twitter.com/KoEhrdwPB3

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 18, 2025

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Later in the innings, Anukul Roy also cracked a fine, unbeaten knock of 40 runs in 20 deliveries with the help of three boundaries and two sixes as Jharkhand posted a massive score of 226/3 in their allotted 20 overs. It was always expected to be a difficult chase for Haryana, who lost the first couple of wickets in the opening over of the chase.

Their number four batter, Yashvardan Dalal, nailed a 50 thriller knock in 22 balls with the help of two boundaries and five sixes at a strike rate of 240. Their middle order also contributed, but none of them were significant to complete the successful chase as they fell short of the target by 69 runs. 

Jharkhand created history on Thursday night (December 18) by winning their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) after thrashing Haryana by 69 runs in the high-scoring 2025-26 Final. 

Haryana chose to field first after winning the toss, while Jharkhand scored a mammoth 262/3 in 20 overs. In reply, Haryana were all out for 193 runs in 18.3 overs. 

Jharkhand innings: Ishan Kishan slammed century and Kumar Kushagra scored 81

Although Jharkhand opener Virat Singh was dismissed for only two runs, another opener and skipper Ishan Kishan and the no.3 batter Kumar Kushagra set the tone of the game with a 177-run partnership for the second wicket. While the captain Ishan scored 101 off 49 balls with six fours and 10 sixes, Kumar scored 81 off 38 balls with eight fours and five sixes. Later, Anukul Roy (40 not out off 20 balls) and Robin Minz (31 not out `14 balls) also added crucial runs to stretch the total to 260+. 

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Haryana were never in chase battle

In reply, Haryana lost two wickets in the first over, as they were always far away from the target, despite some fightbacks in the middle-order batting. While Yashvardhan Dalal scored 53 off 22 balls, Nishant Sindhu (31 off 15 balls) and Samant Jakhar (38 off 17 balls) also added some crucial runs, which were not enough for Haryana.

Among Jharkhand bowlers, Sushant Mishra (3/27) and Bal Krishna (3/38) got three wickets each, while Vikash Singh (2/30) and Anukul Roy (2/42) picked up two wickets each. 

That winning feeling! 🥳

Time for celebration in the Jharkhand camp as they win the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for the first time 🙌

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/3fGWDCTjoo#SMAT | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/qJB0b2oS0Y

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 18, 2025

It was Jharkhand's second title in Indian domestic cricket. In the 2010-11 edition, they secured their first title by winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy, the List A format competition. 

While Jharkhand and Haryana are facing each other in the Final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, a Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) star, who is also a known Indian cricketer, slammed a century. 

After Haryana chose to field first in the SMAT 2025-26 Final, Jharkhand opener Virat Singh was dismissed cheaply for only two runs. However, the skipper Ishan Kishan and the no.3 batter Kumar Kushagra completely dominated the first innings, as they had a 177-run partnership for the second wicket.

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SMAT 2025-26 leading run-scorer Ishan Kishan slams century in Final

After completing his 50 runs in 24 balls, Jharkhand opener and captain Ishan completed his sixth T20 century in 45 balls. With the help of six fours and 10 sixes, Ishan scored 101 runs in 49 balls. It was his second century in the tournament, while 113 not out against Tripura in the first round group stage. 

With this knock, Ishan Kishan has sent a strong message to the Indian cricket board as the 27-year-old wicketkeeper-batter is knocking on the door strongly. He last played for India in November 2023, while he has served for the senior national team in two Tests, 27 ODIs, and 32 T20Is. The ODI double-centurion is the leading run-scorer in the SMAT 2025-26 with 517 runs in 10 innings with an average of 51.70. 

On the other hand, Kumar Kushagra scored a 29-ball fifty, as he stretched his batting to 81 runs in just 38 balls with the help of eight fours and five sixes.

SMAT 2025-26 Final: Jharkhand score 262/3

Later, the middle-order batters, Anukul Roy and Robin Minz played powerful cameos to guide the total over 260 runs. While Roy scored 40 not out off 20 balls with three fours and two sixes, Minz scored 31 not out off 14 balls with three sixes. These batting performances helped Jharkhand to score 262/3 in 20 overs. 

Among Haryana bowlers, Sumit Kumar (1/41), Anshul Kamboj (1/51), and Samant Jakhar (1/62) managed to claim one wicket each. All six Haryana bowlers had 10+ economy rates in the SMAT 2025-26 Final. 

Time is really important in grabbing an opportunity, and Sarfaraz Khan used it to the best by smashing a 15-ball half-century for Mumbai during the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26 against Rajasthan. His fiery knock just an hour ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, which is set to begin in Abu Dhabi on December 16.

There is no doubt now of the right-handed batter getting a check from the bidding war. Sarfaraz Khan has been in superb touch during the entire T20 event in India’s domestic cricket. Earlier in the game at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, Mumbai was belted for 216/4 in 20 overs.

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The opening batter of Rajasthan, Ramnivas Golada, crunched 48 runs in 29 balls at a strike rate of 165.42 with the help of three boundaries and three sixes, while their number three batter, Deepak Hooda, creamed 51 runs in 31 balls at a strike rate of 164.52, smashing four boundaries and three sixes.

Sarfaraz Khan smashed 15-ball 50 before IPL 2026 auction

Mahipal Lomror also clubbed a fine knock of 39 runs in 24 balls at a strike rate of 162.5 with the help of four boundaries, while Mukul Choudhury pocketed a cracking unbeaten knock of 54 runs in 28 balls at a strike rate of over 190, thanks to three sixes and four boundaries to post 216/4 in their allotted 20 overs by the Rajasthan side.

Watch the video here: 

Sarfaraz Khan scored Fastest Fifty before the #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/W5Gs5GmXyV

— Pankaj Agrawal (@iampankaj_007) December 16, 2025

In reply, Mumbai lost Yashasvi Jaiswal cheaply for 15 runs in 16 balls before Ajinkya Rahane and Sarfaraz Khan celebrated a cracking stand of 111 runs in just 38 balls for the second wicket. The former creamed 58 runs in 30 balls at a strike rate of 193.33 while Sarfaraz was dismissed for 73 runs in 22 balls at a strike rate of 331 with six fours and seven sixes.

The likes of Chennai Super Kings or the Kolkata Knight Riders can keep an eye on the right-handed batter to fix their issues in the middle order. He has also been a fabulous player of spin, which enhances his skill for that role.

Mumbai lost their opening clash of the Super League stage of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26 and were in need of earning a win over the Haryana side in the second contest. But when they were set a target of 235 runs at the DY Patil Academy in Ambi, Pune, the task was expected to be a stiff one.

But two long-time friends of the Mumbai cricket team, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan, posted a fine 88-run stand for the second wicket in just 37 balls to give them a great platform for the successful chase. They met each other at the end of the game.

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“I have got today’s player of the match- Yashasvi Jaiswal. How is the feeling? You just got a century in the recent ODI (against South Africa), and now for Mumbai, there is another century.” Sarfaraz said to Jaiswal, who expressed, “Very happy that I have been able to do that. I wanted to win it for Mumbai and vowed that whenever I return, I would try to keep going with the same intensity to finish the game.”

Sarfaraz Khan and Yashasvi Jaiswal give special interview on Mumbai’s record chase

Jaiswal celebrated 101 runs in 50 balls with the help of 16 boundaries and one six, while Sarfaraz nailed 64 runs in just 25 balls at a strike rate of 256, smashing nine boundaries and three sixes. Mumbai completed the chase in 17.3 overs by four wickets.

Watch the video here: 

𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 & 𝐍𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐠𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐱 🫶

Reminiscing Azad Maidan memories 🏟️✨

Sharing Player of the Match honours 🏆

The pure joy of batting together 😍

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan relive Mumbai's highest run chase in #SMAT 🔥 - By @Jigsactin… pic.twitter.com/SQY6oLIMcf

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 15, 2025

“The way you also batted with me was exceptional, and I really enjoyed how we were able to get the job done. We really enjoyed each other’s company. We talk a lot and have fun in the middle. So, that’s really exciting.” Jaiswal added while Sarfaraz replied, “I know him from such a young age. Whenever he returns from playing for India, I realize he changes, and that’s what I try to learn.”

“Our bonding has been amazing. We discuss a lot about how we used to go through the hard work and practice in the Azad Maidan. When he bats, we all remain in awe of his batting.” Sarfaraz noted before Jaiswal concluded, “We also take the calculative risk and try to win the contest for Mumbai or even when we used to play against England.”

In the Super League Group B encounter of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26, Mumbai beat Haryana after recording their highest SMAT chase, thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal's powerful century. Also, Sarfaraz Khan played a crucial knock in that historic victory for Mumbai. 

After Mumbai chose to field first at the DY Patil Academy in Ambi on Sunday (December 14) morning, Haryana scored 234/3 in 20 overs. In reply, Mumbai chased down the target in 17.3 overs after losing six wickets, as Mumbai won the match by four wickets with 15 balls remaining. 

Captain Ankit Kumar and Nishant Sindhu played powerful knocks in the first innings, while they had a 110-run partnership for the second wicket. While the opener Ankit scored 89 off 42 balls with 10 fours and six sixes, Nishant scored 63 not out off 38 balls with four fours and three sixes. 

In the late innings, Samant Jhakar scored 31 off 14 balls (two fours and three sixes) before getting retired out, while Sumit Kumar scored 16 not out off four balls, as he slammed four fours. 

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Yashasvi Jaiswal recorded his 4th T20 century

In reply, Mumbai openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ajinkya Rahane had a 53-run partnership in 19 balls. After Rahane was dismissed for 21 off 10 balls with two fours and one six, Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan had an 88-run partnership for the second wicket. Sarfaraz scored 64 off 25 balls with nine fours and three sixes. 

Although Mumbai were losing wickets regularly after the dismissal of Sarfaraz, Jaiswal continued his powerful batting to maintain the confident chase. The left-handed opening batter slammed his fourth T20 century in 48 balls, as he scored 101 off 50 balls before getting out, where Mumbai were just seven runs behind the target. Jaiswal hit 16 fours and one six in that memorable T20 knock.

Mumbai recorded 2nd highest successful SMAT chase, record SMAT chase for team

While Mumbai chased down the 235-run target, they are just behind the record SMAT chase. At the same venue, just two days ago, Jharkhand recorded the successful chase of a 236-run target against Punjab. 

A large number of spectators turned up at the MCA Stadium in Mumbai for the Super League fixture of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025/26 between Hyderabad and Mumbai. The former won the toss and decided to bowl first as Mohammad Siraj, the premier pacer of the side, didn’t disappoint his fans by displaying notable bowling performances.

Mumbai, under the leadership of Shardul Thakur, posted a below-par score of 130, getting bundled out in 18.5 overs as only Hardik Tamore, the wicket-keeper batter, and Yashasvi Jaiswal crossed their respective 25-run mark. Suyansh Shedge cracked 28 runs in 22 balls at a strike rate of 127.27.

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Siraj was excellent with the new ball and later on used the variations with the old delivery by finishing with figures of 3/17 in 3.5 overs at an economy rate of 4.40. Both Captain Milind and T. Thuagarajan added two wickets each in their spell. Siraj’s line and length were fabulous in the entire game, in different phases of the game.

Mohammad Siraj shows heartwarming gesture in SMAT 2025/26

In the chase, the opening stand of 127 runs between Tanmay Agarwal and Aman Rao killed any chance for Mumbai to make a slight comeback in the fixture. The former nailed a fine knock of 75 runs in 40 balls at a strike rate of 187.50, thanks to seven boundaries and four sixes, while Aman drilled 52 undefeated runs in 29 balls at a strike rate of 179.31, shouldering on five fours and three sixes.

A standout moment from Mohammed Siraj ✨

After earning POTM vs Mumbai, he recognises Tanmay Agarwal’s vital 75 by sharing the award! pic.twitter.com/K5sERoCbO5

— CRICKETNMORE (@cricketnmore) December 12, 2025

Siraj won the player of the match award for his excellent bowling performance. But he showed a heartwarming gesture in the presentation ceremony by calling Tanmay in that event and sharing the prize with the left-handed opening batter. Hyderabad completed the chase in less than 12 overs for a nine-wicket victory.

Mohammad Siraj, who recently featured in the ODI series against South Africa at home, will be back in action for the national side during the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand at home. That will take place in the second week of January next week.