Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Top 10 players to watch out for in knockouts: Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy has now advanced to knockout stage, starting with pre-quarterfinals on Tuesday. Top players from the group stage have helped their respective state teams to qualify for the knockout stage. Notable players include Deepak Hooda, Sheldon Jackson, Chama Milind, Tanmay Agarwal, Rishi Dhawan and Manish Pandey will be headlining in knockout stage of SMAT 2021. Follow the live updates of SMAT 2021 on InsideSport.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: From Deepak Hooda to Tanmay Agarwal, top 10 players to watch out in knockout stage of SMAT 2021
InsideSport takes a look at 10 players to watch out for in the knockout stage
1. Deepak Hooda (Rajasthan): Deepak Hooda has been in blistering form during the group stage. The 26-year-old returned to domestic cricket after a poor outing in this IPL season, since then he has been able to revive his form. Hooda switched from Baroda for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season. In SMAT 2021 so far, Deepak Hooda has aggregated 291, including four half-centuries, from five matches played so far. He is currently the third-highest scorer of SMAT 2021 and is expected to continue his fine run through the knockout stage.
2. Sheldon Jackson (Saurashtra): Sheldon Jackson has emerged as star batsman for Saurashtra at Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The 35-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman switched from Puducherry this domestic cricket season. In SMAT 2021, Sheldon Jackson has smashed three half-centuries and aggregated 221 runs from five matches played so far. Saurashtra will continue to rely on his batting prowess in the knockout stage.
3. Chama Milind (Hyderabad): Chama Milind is one of the star bowlers of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season. The 27-year-old has been brilliant in the group stage of SMAT 2021, scalping 16 wickets from five matches so far. Also, Chama Milind is one of the three bowlers to take five wickets or more. Milind will look to continue his bowling brilliance in the knockout stage.
4. Yash Nahar (Maharashtra): Yash Nahar is having a moderate season so far, however, one can expect him perform in the place of Ruturaj Gaikwad in the knockout stage. In the match against Goa, Yash bought his maiden T20 century, scoring 103* off 68 balls. Yash Nahar has aggregated 164 runs from five matches he has played so far in the group stage. His first T20 century might have boosted his confidence ahead of knockout stage.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: From Deepak Hooda to Tanmay Agarwal, top 10 players to watch out in knockout stage of SMAT 2021
5. Manipal Lamror (Rajasthan): Manipal Lamror has been in brilliant form after returning domestic cricket from IPL for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. This IPL season, 22-year-old didn’t get enough chance to prove his talent, scoring just 94 runs from four matches. In SMAT 2021, Mahipal Lamror showed his class by aggregating 220 runs from five matches played so far. Rajasthan expect him to continue his decent form in the knockout stage.
6. Tanmay Agarwal (Hyderabad): Tanmay Agarwal is the star batsman of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season. The 26-year-old is in brilliant form and aggregated 302 runs from five matches played so far. Tanmay Agarwal is currently the highest run-scorer of SMAT 2021. Hyderabad will be expecting a lot from him, alongside Sheldon Jackson, in the knockout stage.
7. Akshay Karnewar (Vidarbha): Akshay Karnewar made headlines when he scripted history by becoming the first T20 bowler to bowl four overs without a single run in SMAT 2021. The 29-year-old is having a decent season so far, scalping 10 wickets from five matches so far. Akshay Karnewar had taken hattrick against Sikkim. He is one of the bowlers to watch out for in the knockout stage.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: From Deepak Hooda to Tanmay Agarwal, top 10 players to watch out in knockout stage of SMAT 2021
8. Priyank Panchal (Gujarat): Priyank Panchal is one of the top batsmen for Gujarat this season. The 31-year-old played a crucial role in helping Gujarat to top the group stage and directly qualify for the quarterfinals. Priyank Panchal has aggregated 188 runs, including two half centuries from five matches played so far. Priyank might look to continue his decent form into knockout stage.
9. Rishi Dhawan (Himachal Pradesh): Rishi Dhawan is the skipper of Himachal Pradesh. He has been brilliant so far in SMAT 2021. 31-year-old has scalped 14 wickets from five matches played so far and currently he is the third highest wicket-taker of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season. Rishi Dhawan is the only player to take 6 wickets in a single match. He will look to continue his fine form in knockout stage.
10. Manish Pandey (Karnataka): Manish Pandey is leading the Karnataka team for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this season and has been in decent form since IPL this season. The 31-year-old has aggregated 172 runs from 5 matches played so far. Manish Pandey scored a brilliant 84 runs off 64 balls against Mumbai in the opening match. Karnataka’s skipper will look to take the team beyond pre-quarterfinals round.
