Ishan Kishan Equals Abhishek Sharma, Surpasses MS Dhoni
Ishan Kishan delivered a spectacular 45-ball century to power Jharkhand to their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) title, defeating Haryana by 69 runs. The Jharkhand captain smashed 101 runs, hitting 10 sixes and 6 fours, equalling Abhishek Sharma’s record of five centuries in SMAT history. Kishan’s 33 sixes in SMAT 2025 now set a record for any designated wicketkeeper-captain in T20 cricket, surpassing MS Dhoni and Nicholas Pooran, who previously held the mark at 30 sixes.
This blistering performance further strengthens Kishan’s case for a T20I recall. Having last represented India in a T20I against Australia in 2023, Kishan has recently been playing for India A, waiting for another opportunity on the international stage.
Jharkhand’s Batting Dominance
Batting first, Jharkhand posted a massive 262/3 in 20 overs, thanks to Kishan’s century and a 177-run partnership with Kumar Kushagra. Kushagra contributed a rapid 81 off 38 balls, supporting Kishan perfectly as Jharkhand maintained pressure on the Haryana bowlers throughout the innings. Kishan also completed his hundred with a stylish one-handed six over extra cover, delighting fans.
The left-hander ended the tournament as the top run-scorer, amassing 517 runs in 10 innings at a staggering strike rate of 197.32. This was his second century of the tournament, cementing his reputation as one of India’s most explosive T20 batsmen.
Bowling Brilliance Seals Victory
Jharkhand’s bowlers backed up the massive total with disciplined performances. Medium-pacer Anukul Roy struck twice in his opening over and later dismantled Haryana’s middle order, earning crucial breakthroughs. Yashvardhan Dalal’s 53 runs provided some resistance, but Jharkhand’s bowling ensured Haryana was bowled out for 193 in 18.3 overs. Late cameos from Anukul and Robin Minz helped Jharkhand maintain dominance until the end.
Historic Victory for Jharkhand
Jharkhand became the 12th state to win the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, celebrating a first-ever T20 domestic triumph. Kishan’s extraordinary innings not only secured the title but also showcased his match-winning ability, making a strong statement to the BCCI selectors ahead of India’s upcoming T20 series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup.
Jharkhand’s comprehensive performance, led by Kishan’s blazing century, will be remembered as a defining moment in the state’s cricketing history.
