Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockouts shifted from Indore: Here's why
What's the story
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has moved the knockout stages of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy from Indore to Pune. As per a report in The Times of India, the decision was made due to logistical issues, particularly a lack of hotel room availability in Indore during a global conference. The tournament's knockout stages will now be held at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium and Dr. DY Patil Academy ground in Pune from December 12-18.
Hotel crisis
MPCA CEO explains hotel shortage in Indore
Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) CEO Rohit Pandit confirmed the hotel shortage in Indore. "We informed BCCI about a fortnight ago that we will not be able to stage the SMAT knockouts as there is a lack of hotel room availability here due to some global conference (of doctors) in Indore from December 9-12," he told The Times of India. The BCCI official confirmed the tournament's knockout stages were shifted to Pune at MPCA's request.
Travel disruptions
IndiGo flight crisis could impact BCCI's domestic tournaments
The ongoing IndiGo flight crisis, which has seen the airline cancel nearly 1,000 flights and disrupt several other domestic flights, could also affect BCCI's domestic tournaments. Currently, the league stage of SMAT is being held across four centers: Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Lucknow and Hyderabad. A source tracking developments said if the crisis continues, it could be difficult to fly teams to Pune for SMAT knockouts or other ongoing tournaments.
Performers
A look at the key batters in SMAT 2025
As per ESPNcricinfo, Jharkhand's Ishan Kishan owns 269 runs from 5 matches in SMAT 2025. He averages 67.25 with the help of one hundred and a fifty. Karnataka's R Smaran has fared well, scoring 265 runs at 88.33 (50s: 2). Mumbai's Ayush Mhatre has already hit 2 hundreds. He owns 256 runs at 85.33. Bengal's Abhimanyu Easwaran has collected 243 runs at 60.75.
Information
What about the bowlers?
Rajasthan's Ashok Sharma has picked 16 wickets at 8.56 from 5 appearances this season. Kerala's KM Asif has taken 13 scalps at 7. Vidarbha's Yash Thakur owns 12 wickets at 10.16. Jammu & Kashmir's Auqib Nabi has picked 11 wickets at 13.54.
Teams
A look at the top teams
With 4 wins and a defeat from 5 matches, Mumbai top the show in Elite Group A. They own 16 points. The Andhra cricket team also has 16 points but remains separated by NRR. In Elite Group B, Hyderabad have collected 16 points and sit atop. Bengal have done well in Elite Group C and own 16 points from 5 outings. Jharkhand and Rajasthan own 20 points each in Elite Group D. They have won all of their 5 games.