Tilak Varma, the third-best T20I batter in the world, smashed 151 runs off 67 balls in Hyderabad's win over Meghalaya, setting a new record for the highest individual score in SMAT history. This was also Tilak's third consecutive T20 hundred, making him the first batter to achieve this feat. Hyderabad's total of 248 for six was its highest score in the tournament, while Meghalaya managed to score a mere 69 runs in response.
India's premier domestic T20 competition, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, has announced its list of 28 probables which includes comeback man Prithvi Shaw and in-form batter Shreyas Iyer. Shaw, who was dropped from the Mumbai squad for the Ranji Trophy due to fitness and disciplinary issues, was seen going through his fitness drills on the second day of the match against Odisha. Meanwhile, Iyer has been impressing with a string of high scores in his last two matches. This list also features other notable players such as Siddhesh Lad and Shams Mulani, who have been in good form recently.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced that they will be doing away with the Impact Player rule for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy (SMAT). This decision has been welcomed by many, including Saurashtra head coach Niraj Odedra. However, the contentious rule will still be in place for the next three seasons of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The rule, which was first introduced in the SMAT and later carried to the IPL, has been heavily criticized by players for its impact on the game. The SMAT tournament kicks off on November 23, with the final scheduled for December 15.
Ashutosh Sharma, the new batting sensation of Punjab Kings and a former player of Kolkata Knight Riders, has spoken out against Pandit's coaching methods. He accused Pandit of hindering the performance of experienced overseas players and causing KKR's failure. An old interview of Sharma's on Pandit has resurfaced, gaining attention for his explosive remarks. Despite facing setbacks, Sharma has shown his capabilities with a record-breaking performance in the domestic Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. But his success has been overshadowed by Pandit's actions, leading to a tense situation between the two.
In a major change to the T20 format, bowlers in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 will now be allowed to bowl two bouncers per over, following a successful trial in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. This has put the onus on the batters to adapt and handle bouncers throughout the over. Gujarat Titans all-rounder Vijay Shankar believes this rule will be a tough challenge for the batting unit and praises new captain Shubman Gill's leadership skills. He also credits his success in the previous season to his ability to adapt to different batting positions in the team's lineup.
In what was a thrilling match between Punjab Kings and Lakhanau Super Giants, debutante Mayank Yadav blew away the opposition with his lightning-fast bowling, clocking speeds upwards of 145 km/hour. He targeted top players like Jonny Bairstow, Shikhar Dhawan, and Jitesh Sharma, and led his team to victory with a crucial 3-wicket haul. Mayank credits his bowling inspiration, South African legend Dale Steyn, for his phenomenal performance and has turned heads with his average speed of 148 km/hour and peak speed of 155.8 km/hour, making him the fastest bowler in the current IPL season and surpassing his own record set in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2023-24.
Tushar Deshpande, a promising bowler from Mumbai, has caught the attention of IPL franchises with his impressive performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Although he has a tendency to leak runs, he has proven to be a valuable wicket-taker for his team. With 16 wickets in 8 matches at an economy rate of 6.98, Deshpande is now on the radar for the upcoming IPL auction. Stay tuned for more updates on this rising star!