Jay Shah, secretary of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), has commended India's senior players for their participation in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024–25. Notably, a number of veterans, like Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya, are taking part in India's top domestic T20 event and imparting their knowledge and insights to the younger generation.
Jay Shah praises senior players
Iyer and Hardik Pandya have already ignited the competition with their incredible performances thus far. Observing them thrive, Shah posted on his X account how the tournament's level of competition and intensity has gone up since senior players joined.
"Great to see high competition and intensity in our premier domestic T20 competition, the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy with senior members of the Indian Cricket Team participating and playing alongside the future generation, sharing insights and learnings from their international careers. It's a beautiful sight to see this side of the Indian domestic circuit where knowledge sharing and learning takes up a primary role, churning out the best in our players! @BCCIdomestic," wrote Shah on his X account.
With 233 runs from three innings at an average of 116.50 and a strike rate of 204.38, including one hundred and fifty, Iyer is currently the third-highest run scorer in the competition. He defeated Maharashtra with a 71 (39) after opening the competition with an incredible 130* (57) against Goa.
In contrast, Hardik Pandya has amassed 231 runs from four games at an average of 115.50 and a strike rate of 211.92, making him the tournament's fourth-highest run scorer. He started by hitting the game-winning 74* (35) against Gujarat. Against Tamil Nadu, he faced left-arm bowler Gurjapneet Singh and hammered him for four consecutive sixes and a boundary in the over, milking 29 runs.
Ishan Kishan recently helped Jharkhand defeat Arunachal Pradesh with a commanding victory at the Wankhede Stadium by hitting a brilliant unbroken 77 off just 23 balls.
