New Delhi: Ishan Kishan produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final, leading Jharkhand to their maiden title with a dominant 69-run victory over Haryana on Thursday. The wicketkeeper-batter, captaining the side, slammed a sensational 101 off just 49 balls, studded with 10 sixes and eight fours, in the national T20 tournament’s summit clash.
Kishan’s knock was his fifth century in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy history, equalling Abhishek Sharma’s record, and underlined his stature as one of India’s most destructive domestic T20 batters. With this effort, Kishan also became the designated wicketkeeper-captain with the most sixes in a single T20 tournament — smashing 33 maximums in SMAT 2025. The previous record of 30 sixes was jointly held by MS Dhoni (IPL 2018) and Nicholas Pooran (ILT20 2023–24).
Historic Final Performance
Invited to bat first, Jharkhand rode on a massive 177-run partnership for the second wicket between Kishan and Kumar Kushagra. While Kishan tore into the Haryana bowling attack with fearless strokeplay, Kushagra played the perfect supporting role with a rapid 81 off 38 deliveries, keeping the scoreboard racing.
Jharkhand piled up an imposing 262 for 3 — one of the highest totals in a SMAT final. Kishan brought up his century in style with a one-handed six over extra cover before being bowled by Sumit Kumar in the 15th over. Kushagra fell soon after, but late cameos from Anukul Roy (40 off 20) and Robin Minz (31 off 14) ensured Jharkhand finished strongly.
Bowling Seals the Deal
Defending the massive total, Jharkhand’s bowlers delivered a disciplined performance. Anukul Roy struck twice in his opening over to dent Haryana’s chase early, as they slumped to 2 for 1 after losing skipper Ankit Kumar and Ashish Siwach for ducks.
Wicketkeeper-batter Yashvardhan Dalal fought back with a valiant 53, adding partnerships with Arsh Ranga (17) and Nishant Sindhu (31). However, Anukul once again turned the game decisively by dismissing both set batters in the same over, effectively ending Haryana’s hopes.
Haryana were eventually bowled out for 193 in 18.3 overs, with Sushant Mishra returning impressive figures of 3 for 21.
Kishan’s Red-Hot Tournament Form
The final century was Kishan’s second of the tournament and capped a sensational campaign. The 27-year-old finished as the leading run-scorer of SMAT 2025 with 517 runs from 10 innings at a staggering strike rate of 197.32.
Kishan last featured for India in a T20I against Australia in 2023 and has since been playing for India A. While Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma currently sit ahead of him in the T20I pecking order, this belligerent run of form is expected to catch the attention of national selectors, who are set to meet soon to finalise India’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup.
With this title triumph, Jharkhand became the 12th state to win India’s premier domestic T20 competition — and Ishan Kishan was at the heart of their historic achievement.
Brief Scores
- Jharkhand: 262/3 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 101, Kumar Kushagra 81; Sumit Kumar 1/41)
- Haryana: 193 all out in 18.3 overs (Yashvardhan Dalal 53, Samant Jakhar 38; Sushant Mishra 3/21)