Sports
10 Players To Watch Out For In SMAT 2025
The 2025 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (Elite Group) will be played across 11 venues in five cities from November 26 to December 18. A total of 32 teams, which are divided into four groups of eight each, will fight for the top prize. In the tournament where players will have a chance to attract franchises’ attention ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, many top players will also feature. Here’s a look at 10 top players who are set to headline SMAT 2025:
Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Bihar): 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi will captain Bihar in the 2025 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai): India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has been included in Mumbai’s SMAT 2025 squad, which will be led by Shardul Thakur. (Picture Credit: AP)
Abhishek Sharma (Punjab): World No. 1 T20I batter Abhishek Sharma will play for Punjab in SMAT 2025. (Picture Credit: AP)
Hardik Pandya (Baroda): Hardik Pandya will make his comeback to competitive cricket with SMAT 2025. He is included in Baroda’s squad, which will be led by his elder brother Krunal. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Arshdeep Singh (Punjab): Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who is India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is, will play for Punjab in SMAT 2025. (Picture Credit: AFP)
Mohammed Shami (Bengal): Mohammed Shami is part of Bengal’s SMAT 2025 squad, and he will lead the bowling attack for the Abhimanyu Easwaran-led side. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Sanju Samson (Kerala): Wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who recently joined CSK from RR, will captain Kerala in SMAT 2025. (Picture Credit: AP)
Prithvi Shaw (Maharashtra): Prithvi Shaw will open for Maharashtra in SMAT 2025. After Gaikwad’s selection in the ODI team, he has been named as Maharashtra captain. (Picture Credit: PTI)
Rinku Singh (Uttar Pradesh): Rinku Singh, who is a member of India’ T20I team, will represent Uttar Pradesh in SMAT 2025. (Picture Credit: AP)
Jitesh Sharma (Baroda): Wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma will also be in action for Baroda in the premier domestic T20 tournament. (Picture Credit: AP)