SMAT 2024: Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya Shine While Shami Struggles

Shreyas Iyer and Hardik Pandya continued their red-hot form in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), delivering match-winning performances for their respective teams. However, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami had a forgettable outing, going wicketless against Mizoram.

Mumbai skipper Shreyas Iyer showcased his batting prowess once again, smashing a scintillating 71 off 39 balls against Maharashtra on Wednesday. His knock, laced with eight boundaries and three sixes, came at a strike rate of 182.05 and helped Mumbai chase down a 172-run target in just 17.1 overs. Veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane also chipped in with a quickfire 52 off 34 balls, including three fours and three sixes.

Maharashtra, after being put to bat, posted 171/9, with notable contributions from Nikhil Naik (47 off 38) and Azim Kazi (32 off 23). Mumbai’s Tanush Kotian starred with the ball, claiming 3/21 in three overs.

Iyer has been in sensational form throughout the tournament. In an earlier match against Goa, he hammered an unbeaten 130 off just 57 balls, propelling Mumbai to a mammoth total of 250/4. With 872 runs across his last 10 domestic matches, averaging 62.28 with three centuries and four fifties, Iyer has silenced critics and reaffirmed his credentials after setbacks in his international career.

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya made a strong impact in his domestic cricket comeback, smashing a breathtaking 69 off 30 balls against Tamil Nadu. His explosive knock, featuring four boundaries and seven sixes, came at a strike rate of 230.00 and helped Baroda chase down a stiff 222-run target with three wickets to spare.

Tamil Nadu had earlier set 221/6, courtesy of contributions from Narayan Jagadeesan (57 off 32), Vijay Shankar (42* off 22), and skipper M Shahrukh Khan (39 off 25). Baroda’s Lukman Meriwala impressed with the ball, picking 3/41.

Pandya has been a standout performer in SMAT 2024, amassing 184 runs in three matches at a remarkable average of 184.00 and a strike rate of 213.95, with two half-centuries to his name. He has also chipped in with two wickets in the tournament.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami endured a tough day on the field, going wicketless and conceding 46 runs in his four overs against Mizoram. Mizoram posted 157/4, powered by an unbeaten 80 from Mohit Jangra off 49 balls. However, Bengal chased the target comfortably, thanks to blazing half-centuries from Abishek Porel (81 off 45) and Karan Lal (67 off 40).

Despite his struggles in the match, Shami has taken four wickets in the tournament so far, with an average of 28.25 and best figures of 3/21.