Ishan Kishan led from the front and powered Jharkhand to their first-ever Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title with a crushing 69-run win over Haryana in the summit clash in Pune on December 18.
Jharkhand are the new SMAT champions
Ishan Kishan's record-equalling 49-ball 101, coupled with Kumar Kushagra's 38-ball 81 and Anukul Roy's 20-ball 40 spurred Jharkhand to a towering total of 262/8. Notably, this was the highest-ever total in SMAT final history.
1) Jharkhand 262/3 vs Haryana - 2025
2) Punjab 223/4 vs Baroda - 2023
3) Baroda 203/7 vs Punjab - 2023
In reply Haryana did put up a late fight after jittery start to only went down to Jharkhand by 69 runs as they were folded for 193.
This was Jharkhand's second domestic title after Vijay Hazare Trophy glory in 2011, which came under the captaincy of Saurabh Tiwary. Jharkhand were a force to be reckoned with in the entire tournament and lost just one match across nine games, which shows how dominant a side they were in the just-concluded season.
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By clinching the trophy, Jharkhand has officially joined an elite group of domestic powerhouses, becoming the 12th different team (including a historical victory for East Zone) to claim the prestigious T20 title. This victory marks a significant shift in the landscape of Indian domestic cricket, signaling the rise of a new force in the shortest format of the game.
The win is also a milestone for the tournament itself, as Jharkhand is the first new champion to emerge since Mumbai secured the crown during the 2022/23 season.
Ishan Kishan's blistering ton in Jharkhand's triumph
In a record-breaking finale at the MCA Stadium in Pune, Jharkhand delivered a clinical batting performance to post a staggering 262 for three in their 20 overs. This total not only set a new record for the highest team score in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) final but also stands as the fifth-highest team total in the history of the competition.
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The innings was defined by a ruthless 177-run partnership between captain Ishan Kishan and Kumar Kushagra. Kishan led from the front with a masterful 101 off 49 balls, featuring six boundaries and ten towering sixes. He was well-supported by Kushagra, who matched the captain's aggression with a destructive 81 off 38 deliveries. Despite losing Virat Singh in the very first over, the duo’s counter-attack ensured the momentum shifted entirely in Jharkhand’s favor by the end of the powerplay.
Jharkhand’s middle order ensured there was no respite for the Haryana bowlers at the death. Anukul Roy (40* off 20) and Robin Minz (31* off 14) combined for a blistering unbeaten 75-run stand, powering the team to a total that required Haryana to pull off the highest run-chase in the tournament's history.
Haryana’s pursuit of 263 faltered almost immediately, losing two wickets in the opening over. While Yashvardhan Dalal provided a spirited fightback with a rapid 53 off 22 balls, the asking rate proved insurmountable. Jharkhand’s bowlers, spearheaded by Sushant Mishra, who claimed 3/27, kept a tight grip on the game. Haryana was eventually bowled out for 193 in 18.3 overs, handing Jharkhand a 69-run victory and their maiden SMAT title.
With this performance, Ishan finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer, amassing 517 runs at an incredible strike rate of over 197.
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Haryana's jittery chase despite Yashvardhan Dalal's fightback
In their chase of a daunting 263-run target, Haryana’s innings was crippled by a disastrous start from which they never truly recovered. Captain Ankit Kumar fell for a golden duck on the very first ball, followed immediately by Ashish Siwach, leaving the team reeling at a precarious 1/2 within the opening over. While Arsh Ranga attempted a brief counter-attack to steady the ship, Jharkhand’s bowlers maintained their pressure, striking at regular intervals to keep the required run rate well out of reach.
A spirited mid-innings resistance was led by Yashvardhan Dalal, who launched a blistering assault to score 53 off just 22 balls, alongside Nishant Sindhu, who contributed a quickfire 31. However, any hopes of a miracle were extinguished when Anukul Roy dismissed both set batters in the same over. Despite a late cameo from Samant Jakhar, who smashed 38 off 17 deliveries, the mountain of runs proved too high, and Haryana was eventually bowled out for 193 in the final over.
The victory was a collective effort from the Jharkhand bowling unit, spearheaded by Sushant Mishra, who finished with impressive figures of 3/27. Vikash Singh set the tone early with his double-wicket maiden, while Bal Krishna and Anukul Roy effectively dismantled the middle and lower order, sharing five wickets between them to secure Jharkhand’s historic maiden title.