SMAT final: Ishan Kishan cracks record-equalling century against Haryana to power Jharkhand to 262/3

Jharkhand captain Ishan Kishan delivered a masterclass in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025 against Haryana at the MCA Stadium in Pune. The dynamic left-hander cracked a record-equalling century just when his team needed in pursuit of their maiden SMAT title. Ishan took just 45 balls to race to the historic century. He punctuated the feat with a stylish one-handed six over cover off the bowling of Anshul Kamboj, showcasing the confidence and flair that defined his entire innings.

Ishan Kishan roars with historic ton in SMAT final

This performance was historically significant, as it marked Kishan's sixth T20 ton overall and his fifth in this specific competition. By reaching this mark, he equalled Abhishek Sharma’s record for the most centuries, i.e five in the history of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He also became the first captain to hammer a century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final. This was also his second hundred of the current season, following a dominant 50-ball 113 not out against Tripura last month. His relentless assault finally ended in the 15th over when he was clean bowled by Sumit Kumar for a brilliant 101 off 49 balls.

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Jharkhand post colossal total of 262/3 against Haryana

The out-of-favour India wicketkeeper-batter has been in scorching form throughout this domestic campaign, making a loud statement to national selectors. He currently sits at the top of the tournament’s run charts, amassing 517 runs in just 10 innings. Even more impressive is his aggression, maintaining a staggering strike rate of 197.32, further cementing his reputation as one of the most dangerous openers in the country.

It was Ishan's lightning knock which catapulted Jharkhand to post a colossal total of 262/3. Kumar Kushagra played the second fiddle with a fiery 38-ball 81, which was decorated with five sixes and eight fours.

Despite a quiet start following the early loss of Virat Singh in the opening over, Jharkhand quickly took control thanks to a relentless assault by their captain. Ishan single-handedly dismantled Haryana’s bowling attack, rendering their tactical plans obsolete by the end of the powerplay. By the time he was dismissed for 101 off 49 balls, featuring 10 sixes and six fours, he had placed Jharkhand in a formidable position and etched his name in history as only the second batter—after Anmolpreet Singh—to score a century in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final.

The cornerstone of Jharkhand's innings was a brutal 177-run partnership between Kishan and Kumar Kushagra. Following the early breakthrough, the duo launched a counter-attack that left the bowlers with no room for error. While Kishan dominated the straight boundaries and extra cover, Kushagra was equally devastating from the number three spot, punishing short-pitched deliveries to smash 81 runs off just 38 balls. Their synergy shifted the pressure entirely onto Haryana and set the stage for a record-breaking total.

Bolstered by this massive partnership and a few explosive cameos toward the end of the innings, Jharkhand finished with a mammoth 262 runs on the board. This staggering total set Haryana the daunting task of chasing a record target in the tournament's final. For Jharkhand, competing in their first-ever SMAT final, the performance was a statement of intent led by their captain on the biggest domestic stage.