Jharkhand announced themselves as the new force in India’s domestic T20 circuit, clinching their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title with a commanding 69-run victory over Haryana in a high-scoring final at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday.
Led by a breathtaking century from captain Ishan Kishan, Jharkhand produced a batting performance for the ages, piling up a colossal 262/3 — the highest total ever recorded in a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final and the fifth-highest in the tournament’s history.
After an early setback with the loss of Virat Singh in the opening over, Kishan seized control of the contest. The left-hander launched a relentless assault, smashing 101 off just 49 balls, an innings studded with towering sixes and clean, fearless strokeplay. At the other end, Kumar Kushagra matched his skipper blow for blow, racing to 81 off 38 deliveries as the Haryana attack struggled to stem the flow of runs.
The duo stitched together a devastating 177-run partnership, effectively batting Haryana out of the final well before the halfway mark. Even after Kishan’s dismissal in the 15th over, Jharkhand showed no signs of slowing down, with Anukul Roy (40 off 20)* and Robin Minz (31 off 14)* adding late fireworks to push the total beyond reach.
Chasing an unprecedented target, Haryana’s reply unravelled almost immediately. Captain Ankit Kumar fell first ball, and another wicket soon followed, leaving the chase in disarray inside the opening over. Though Yashvardhan Dalal mounted a brief counter-attack with a rapid 53 off 22 balls, Jharkhand’s disciplined bowling ensured the required rate continued to spiral.
Sushant Mishra led the bowling effort with a tight and incisive spell, while Anukul Roy, Bal Krishna and Vikash Singh struck at crucial moments to keep Haryana under constant pressure. Despite late cameos from Samant Jakhar and Nishant Sindhu, Haryana were eventually bowled out for 193 in 19.3 overs.
The victory capped a dream tournament for Kishan, who finished as the leading run-scorer of SMAT 2025, underlining his impact both as a leader and a match-winner. For Jharkhand, the title marked a landmark achievement — their first national T20 crown — and a statement of intent on the domestic stage.
In a final where records tumbled and new heroes emerged, Jharkhand’s fearless brand of cricket ensured their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy win will be remembered as a defining moment in the state’s cricketing journey.
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