Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25: Top five domestic players to watch out in upcoming SMAT 2024-25. Ishan Kishan, Ramandeep Singh and Dhruv Jurel among the five players to watch out in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Three senior India players- Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja- have already hung up their boots from the T20Is. That makes it a great period for the blue brigade to look for a transition. With the balanced mix of young and senior players, their aim will be towards the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The Suryakumar Yadav-led side will be participating in eight T20Is in their home season, besides being involved in three 20-over fixtures in Sri Lanka and four more in South Africa. With India playing a lot of Tests and ODIs in between, the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024-25 will allow them to keep an eye on more players.
A look at the top domestic players to watch out for in SMAT 2024-25
Ruturaj Gaikwad
It was quite surprising to see India leaving out Ruturaj Gaikwad for the Sri Lanka series. He commenced his T20I career positively with 633 runs in 20 innings, at a strike rate of 143.53. The Maharashtra-born has already celebrated five half-centuries and one century in the format.
Regarding his form in the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain was the second-highest run-getter of IPL 2024. He smashed 583 runs in 14 innings, at a strike rate of over 140, besides notching up four fifties and one hundred.
Even in the recent Zimbabwe tour, Gaikwad displayed his golden form with the bat. The 27-year-old was the fourth-highest run-getter of the five-match T20I series with 133 runs. This came at a strike rate of nearly 160, which was quite promising.
The two-time champions already have so many openers on their side. But if someone struggles with form, then Gaikwad can easily step in as a replacement. The selectors will be keeping an eye on him in the upcoming SMAT.
Read More: IND vs SL: Ruturaj Gaikwad dropped from both T20I & ODI squads; What does the future hold for him?
Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson is another name who has been inconsistent in whatever opportunities he has got for India. Since making his debut in 2015, the wicket-keeper batter has featured in only 24 innings in the shortest format. Samson has nailed 444 T20I runs at an average of around 21, with a strike rate of just over 130. These are quite poor numbers from such a classic batter.
The Kerala batter’s rhythm in the IPL and national team is quite different. In the IPL 2024, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) captain was the fifth-highest run-getter. In 15 innings, the right-handed batter powered 531 runs at a strike rate of over 150, with five half-centuries.
It will also be interesting to see where the 29-year-old bats. For the Royals, Samson prefers the number three or four position. While, on the flip of the coin, the national team management always looks to use him in the middle order. Even though he is on the radar, consistent performances in the SMAT can cement his place in the national team.
Ramandeep Singh
‘Regarding Hardik, he’s still a very important player for us. Fitness has been a challenge for him.’ The chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar expressed in a recent press-conference. ‘Then it becomes difficult for the coach or selectors. Fitness is a clear challenge and we want someone available more often than not.’
This is a clear indication that India have been looking for a replacement of Hardik and perhaps Shivam Dube. In that case, they will need a pace-bowling all-rounder, who can bat at number six or seven, besides delivering a few overs.
Ramandeep Singh could be the perfect option in that department. The Chandigarh-born has smashed 450 runs in 34 T20s, at a strike rate of nearly 170. He has picked up only 13 wickets, and this could be an area where he will need to work on.
Read More: IND vs SL: Sanju Samson shunted out from ODI squad; Have selectors been unfair to him?
Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan will be another wicket-keeping option for India in the shortest format of the game. In 32 T20I innings, the Jharkhand-born has gathered 796 runs at a strike rate of 124.37. This doesn’t display the real skill of the explosive batter. n
The left-handed batter was quite decent with the bat during the IPL 2024. The 26-year-old managed to score 320 runs at a strike rate of nearly 150. However, he wasn’t consistent enough with just one half-century.
The BCCI has already spoken about putting value on the domestic performance. If Kishan does well in the upcoming season of the SMAT, then he could reappear for India.
Dhruv Jurel
The inclusion of Dhruv Jurel in the India squad for the Zimbabwe series shows that the management is keeping an eye on him. In the recent IPL 2024, the wicket-keeper batter managed 195 runs at a strike rate of nearly 140.
However, he couldn’t show his batting skills in the two T20I appearances, managing only six runs. But if he does well in the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, then India can easily think of giving him another chance in T20I.
If KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant gets an opportunity to play in the domestic tournament, then the selectors will put their attention there too. They will also be keen on finding a replacement for Ravindra Jadeja. Axar Patel has undoubtedly done well. But, having options like Washington Sundar and others will make it a complex decision.
The SMAT 2024-25 begins on November 23. The group stage games will be played in Vizag, Indore, Mumbai, Rajkot and Hyderabad. The knock-out games will take place in Bengaluru.
