A large number of young spectators chanted Mohammed Siraj’s name as he warmed up for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Super League fixture against Mumbai at the MCA Stadium on Friday.
Hyderabad won the toss and chose to bowl, and Siraj immediately delivered. He claimed three wickets in a fiery spell, reducing Mumbai to 131 all out.
Meanwhile, openers Tanmay Agarwal and Aman Rao ensured Hyderabad’s dominance. Agarwal smashed 75 off 40 balls, while Aman remained unbeaten on 52 off 29 deliveries. Together, they forged a 127-run stand that guided Hyderabad to a commanding nine-wicket victory over the defending champion.
Earlier, Mumbai began aggressively with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ajinkya Rahane scoring 30 runs in three overs. However, Tanay Thyagarajan dismissed Rahane, and soon after, Sarfaraz Khan fell cheaply to C.V. Milind. Jaiswal fought hard but was trapped leg before by Nitin Sai Yadav. Mumbai’s middle order collapsed, and despite a 45-run stand between Hardik Tamore and Suryansh Shedge, Siraj’s second spell sealed their fate.
In the chase, Aman set the tone by smashing 24 runs off Shardul Thakur’s opening over. His aggressive stroke play forced Thakur out of the attack. As the dew settled, Agarwal took charge, punishing Mumbai’s bowlers until Tushar Deshpande dismissed him. By then, Hyderabad needed just five runs, and Aman sealed the win with a boundary.
At the same time, history unfolded at the D.Y. Patil Academy ground. Jharkhand pulled off the highest-ever chase in SMAT history, defeating Punjab by six wickets. Salil Arora’s unbeaten 125 powered Punjab to 235/6, but Kumar Kushagra responded with a fearless 86* off 42 balls. Jharkhand reached 237/4 in 18.1 overs, finishing the chase with 11 balls to spare.
Overall, Hyderabad’s upset and Jharkhand’s record-breaking chase made SMAT 2025 one of the most thrilling chapters in India’s domestic T20 cricket.
ALSO READ: 10 Bonded Labourers Rescued in Nuapada, Trafficking Agent Arrested
