Before the IPL, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was considered the top T20 cricket tournament in domestic cricket. However, it remains relevant as teams from all over India have the opportunity to participate. Players shine, make connections, and learn to play fast-paced cricket alongside some big names while competing for the trophy. Not only does it provide a platform for international Indian players, but it also allows domestic talent to show their abilities in between established stars. This year, it’s crucial, as the players will be showing their ability before the new IPL season. Many believe this tournament serves as an audition, indicating what we might see in the IPL 2025. Let’s take a look at the players who have performed brilliantly after three rounds of the SMAT.
MI’s Tilak leading the charts
Already an international player now, Tilak Verma is leading the charts with 221 runs in 3 matches so far as the top scorer. The Mumbai batter has been retained by the franchise before the mega auction and will be playing for the team in the upcoming IPL season.
LSG’s Rs 30 lakh player Yuvraj shines
LSG signed all-rounder Yuvraj Chaudhary for 30 lakh rupees. The uncapped player from Uttarakhand is the second-highest scorer in the SMAT so far, with 201 runs in 3 matches, which is a good sign for the franchise as they can experiment with this young batter in the new season.
Good news for Punjab Kings
There is good news for Punjab Kings as their top buy in the auction, Shreyas Iyer, performed brilliantly, including a 130-run knock. In the list of top batters, he is in third place. Meanwhile, bowler Yuzvendra Chahal, who recently became the most expensive spinner with Punjab Kings buying him for 18 crores, is playing for Haryana domestically and has taken 8 wickets in just 3 matches.
DC’s low Investment hope for big returns
Delhi Capital’s latest addition for 30 lakh rupees, Darshan Nalkande, is also performing well. The pacer from Vidarbha has taken 8 wickets in 3 matches and is already the second-highest wicket-taker, tied with Sandeep Sharma and Arshad Khan. In 2024, he played for the Gujarat Titans, and now with his domestic performance, he’s ready to shine for DC.
Rajasthan Royals’ retention of Sandeep Sharma is already making an impact. Playing for Chandigarh, he has taken 8 wickets in just 3 matches, which is a positive sign for the franchise, justifying their decision to retain the reliable pacer.
SMAT 2024 top run scorers (After 3 rounds)
| Player | Team | Matches | Runs | Strike Rate | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tilak Varma | Hyderabad | 3 | 221 | 185.71 | 151 |
| Yuvraj Chaudhary | Uttarakhand | 3 | 202 | 196.11 | 123 |
| Shreyas Iyer | Mumbai | 2 | 201 | 209.37 | 130* |
| N Jagadeesan | Tamilnadu | 3 | 195 | 175.67 | 88 |
| Hardik Pandya | Baroda | 3 | 184 | 213.95 | 74* |
SMAT 2024 top wicket-takers (After 3 rounds)
| Player | Team | Matches | Wickets | Economy | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abid Mushtaq | J + K | 3 | 9 | 8.65 | 4/2 |
| YS Chahal | Haryana | 3 | 8 | 3.33 | 4/9 |
| Sandeep Sharma | Chandigarh | 3 | 8 | 7.00 | 4/22 |
| DG Nalkande | Vidharba | 3 | 8 | 8.58 | 3/28 |
| Arshad Khan | MP | 3 | 7 | 4.30 | 3/5 |
