SMAT 2025-26: Jharkhand reaches maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final despite loss to Andhra

Jharkhand’s undefeated streak halted on Tuesday, as it lost to Andhra by nine wickets in the last fixture of the Super League. But that did not stop Ishan Kishan’s men from reaching their maiden final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Enjoying a superior Net Run Rate (NRR) of + 0.221, Jharkhand finished atop the table in Group B, to set up a summit clash with Haryana, who stunned Hyderabad with a 124-run win at the MCA Stadium.

Coming on the back of two successive wins, a victory against Haryana would have guided Hyderabad to the final. But as the front-line bowlers faltered on a flat deck, Haryana made optimum use of it.

Riding on captain Ankit Kumar’s 27-ball-57 and Samant Jakhar’s 22-ball-60, it put up 246 for 6, before seamer off-spinner Amit Rana (3 for 14) and seamer Ishant Bhardwaj, who claimed a couple of wickets, bundled out Hyderabad for 122.

After conceding a massive total, Hyderabad had to score at least 195 runs, but Buddhi Rahul waged a lone battle as Haryana came from behind to better the NRR and earn a ticket to the final.

In the Group B fixture, Nitish Kumar Reddy’s 22-ball-45, and 2 for 32 with the ball went in vain as Jharkhand managed to maintain its NRR and qualified for the final. 

Chasing Andhra’s 204, Virat Singh (77, 40b, 4×4, 7×6) and Ishan Kishan added 88 runs for the opening partnership. However, things went downhill thereafter as none of the middle-order batters could deliver.

Published on Dec 16, 2025