Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) has announced a strong and well-balanced squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025–26. Meanwhile, star wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who was recently retained by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), will be seen leading Jharkhand's pack in the tournament which is set to start from November 26. The squad is further bolstered by the inclusion of several notable IPL names, including Kumar Kushagra, Robin Minz, and Anukul Roy. Virat Singh has also found a slot in Jharkhand's 16-member squad.
Jharkhand's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy squad announced
Talking about Kishan's T20 profile, he has featured in 206 T20 matches so far and has amassed 5270 runs at a strike rate of 134.20. Over the years, he has represented multiple major IPL franchises such as the Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, and Sunrisers Hyderabad, consistently delivering impactful performances at the highest level of franchise cricket.
Ishan Kishan becomes Jharkhand's captain
Kishan's recently appeared in the unofficial one-day series between India A and South Africa A. He didn't have a great outing in the first one-day but he came back strong in the second one and cracked a brilliant in the series decider at the Niranjan Shah Cricket Stadium in Rajkot. His leadership experience and naturally attacking approach will be crucial for Jharkhand as they aim to mount a strong campaign in the domestic T20 competition.
Besides Kishan, Jharkhand's squad is rich with potential match-winners who are expected to perform strongly in the T20 format. Both Kumar Kushagra and Robin Minz are highly regarded for their clean striking and impressive ability to quickly shift the momentum of a game, making them valuable assets in the shortest format. Furthermore, Anukul Roy adds necessary balance to the team with his reliable left-arm spin and useful contributions as a lower-order batsman.
Jharkhand has been slotted in Elite Group D which also features Delhi, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Saurashtra, and Tripura.
Jharkhand's squad for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-2026
Ishan Kishan (C/WK), Utkarsh Singh, Virat Singh, Kumar Kushagra (WK/VC), Robin Minz, Anukul Roy, Pankaj Kumar, Bala Krishna, Md Kounain Qureshi, Shubh Sharma, Amit Kumar, Manishi, Sushant Mishra, Vikas Singh, Saurabh Shekhar, Rajandeep Singh