The second round of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy delivered standout individual performances, tight finishes, and several storylines that will shape the remainder of the tournament. From Ayush Mhatre’s record-breaking hundred to Prithvi Shaw’s confident leadership start, teams across groups played with intent and clarity. Here’s a complete breakdown of the day’s biggest takeaways.
Mumbai’s young sensation Ayush Mhatre produced one of the innings of the tournament with a dazzling unbeaten 110 off 53 balls to script a comfortable seven-wicket win against Vidarbha. Chasing 193, Mumbai finished the job with 13 balls to spare, securing their second straight victory.
The 18-year-old—earlier named India Under-19 captain for the Asia Cup—unleashed eight fours and eight sixes in a fearless display of stroke-play. His effort made him the youngest player in Indian cricket history to score centuries in first-class, List A, and T20 formats, breaking Rohit Sharma’s long-standing record by over a year.
Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube then ensured a smooth finish with handy contributions, while Dube added value with the ball too, returning figures of 3 for 31.
Mhatre’s ton also placed him among the youngest T20 centurions globally, further establishing him as the next breakout star from Mumbai’s production line.
Shaw’s Leadership Begins with a Win as Maharashtra Beat Hyderabad
Prithvi Shaw marked his first match as Maharashtra’s captain with a fluent 66 off 36 balls, guiding his side to their maiden win of the season. The chase of 192 was handled with precision as Shaw’s aggressive intent inside the powerplay set the tone.
Young allrounder Arshin Kulkarni stayed till the end with an unbeaten 89 off 54 balls—a knock full of maturity and clean hitting. The Shaw–Kulkarni partnership looks promising, and Maharashtra finally clicked as a unit after a forgettable opening match.
Kerala’s strong start to the tournament was halted by Railways, who defended a modest 150 with discipline. Sanju Samson, fresh from a half-century in the opener, struggled for timing and fell for 19 off 25 balls. Rohan Kunnummal, who had slammed a sensational hundred in the previous match, also endured a quiet outing. Kerala fell short by 32 runs in a match that exposed their middle-order fragility against steady bowling.
Haryana Edge Punjab in Super Over Thriller
The game of the day came from the Haryana–Punjab clash, which went down to a dramatic Super Over. Chasing 208, Punjab’s innings wavered despite a scintillating 81 off 37 from Anmolpreet Singh.
Yuzvendra Chahal’s crucial double-strike—removing Salil Arora and Nehal Wadhera—shifted momentum sharply.
Punjab’s chaotic end saw Gurnoor Brar retired out after a slow 8 off 10, before Sanvir Singh and Harpreet Brar pushed the match into a Super Over. However, Punjab managed only one run while losing two wickets in the tie-breaker. Haryana needed just one ball to seal it.
Nishant Sindhu continued his excellent run, striking a confident 32-ball 61 after starring in the previous game as well.
Venkatesh Iyer Rediscovers Rhythm as Madhya Pradesh Cruise
After being released by KKR despite a huge 23.5 crore contract, Venkatesh Iyer had a point to prove. His unbeaten 55 off 34 balls was a reminder of his finishing ability as Madhya Pradesh comfortably beat Bihar by 62 runs.
Bihar’s 14-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi—expected to feature in the U-19 World Cup—could not convert starts again, making 14 and adding to his earlier 13. Bihar folded for 112 while chasing 175.
Madhya Pradesh also received positive news with Rajat Patidar cleared to return for their next match.
Jitesh Sharma’s Slow Start Continues as Baroda Struggle
Jitesh Sharma’s move to Baroda hasn’t clicked yet. After scoring just 4 on debut, he managed only 5 in the loss against Puducherry.
Baroda now face early pressure with consecutive defeats.
Puducherry’s Adil Ayub Tunda was the standout bowler, delivering a superb spell of 4 for 30. The Jammu & Kashmir pacer has been on multiple IPL teams’ radar, and performances like this enhance his rising reputation.
Mhatre’s Rise Signals the Arrival of the Next Big Mumbai Star
Ayush Mhatre’s all-format adaptability before turning 19 places him in an elite category. Mumbai’s talent pipeline has produced generational players like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Prithvi Shaw. Mhatre’s temperament at such a young age suggests he may be the next to follow that path. His ability to dominate spin and pace alike showcases a rare maturity that Mumbai will look to build around.
Pressure Mounts on Senior Batters Across Teams
While several youngsters delivered impressive knocks, established names across state sides struggled. Samson, Jitesh, and even Punjab’s senior group seemed unable to control middle-overs pressure. With the IPL 2026 auction approaching, these domestic performances carry weight, and consistency will be crucial over the next few rounds.
Despite multiple 180-plus totals, bowlers made strong statements: Dube’s utility overs, Chahal’s momentum-changing spell, and Adil Tunda’s four-wicket burst stood out. The conditions generally favoured stroke play, but smart changes of pace and disciplined lengths proved decisive. Teams with reliable bowling depth are beginning to separate from the rest.
Conclusion
The second round of SMAT 2025-26 showcased the emergence of young talent and reaffirmed the value of versatile performers. Ayush Mhatre’s record-breaking hundred, Shaw’s composed leadership, Sindhu’s consistency, and Venkatesh Iyer’s redemption arc all added layers to the tournament narrative.
With several promising players stepping up and big names facing pressure, the competition is already shaping into a compelling mix of opportunity, rivalry, and high-stakes performances.
