The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024 showcased a series of outstanding individual performances, with several players enhancing their reputations ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The tournament gave both emerging and established cricketers the chance to display their skills, and among them, multiple players from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) left a lasting impact with their performances. As SRH continues to build a squad with a blend of youth and experience, these performances offer a promising glimpse of their potential for the upcoming IPL season.
Here’s a look at 7 SRH players who made a strong mark in the 2024 SMAT:
1. Abhishek Sharma (Punjab)
Abhishek Sharma turned heads with his explosive batting for Punjab in SMAT 2024. Scoring 255 runs in 7 innings at a blistering strike rate of 216.10, Sharma demonstrated his ability to dominate the opposition. His unbeaten 106 runs in a single match was the highlight, featuring an incredible array of shots that included 26 fours and 18 sixes. His aggressive approach at the top of the order will be crucial for SRH in IPL 2025, offering them dynamic starts.
2. Ishan Kishan (Jharkhand)
Ishan Kishan’s reputation as a destructive wicketkeeper-batter continued to grow during SMAT 2024. The left-hander scored 161 runs in 6 innings, including a match-winning 77 not out at a strike rate of 167.70. His aggressive batting, evidenced by 18 boundaries and 12 sixes, positions him as a versatile middle-order or finishing option for SRH in IPL 2025. Kishan’s clean hitting and adaptability will provide flexibility to SRH’s lineup.
3. Simarjeet Singh (Delhi)
Simarjeet Singh was a standout performer with the ball for Delhi, finishing with 9 wickets in 5 matches at an impressive average of 14.88. His best bowling figures of 3/16 displayed his skill in taking crucial wickets while maintaining a tight economy rate of 7.58. Singh’s ability to bowl in pressure situations, including the new ball and at the death, makes him a valuable addition to SRH’s bowling attack for IPL 2025.
4. Harshal Patel (Haryana)
Harshal Patel’s experience and variations were on full display as he picked up 11 wickets in 7 matches for Haryana. His standout performance came with a match-winning 5/12, showcasing his ability to break partnerships and control the game. Patel’s economy rate of 7.83 and strike rate of 12.45 make him a reliable death-over specialist, a role that could prove crucial for SRH in the high-pressure moments of IPL 2025.
5. Mohammed Shami (Bengal)
Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami continued to shine in domestic cricket, taking 11 wickets in 9 matches for Bengal. His best performance was 3/21, and his ability to swing the ball and extract bounce remains unmatched. Shami’s leadership and consistency add much-needed experience to SRH’s bowling lineup, giving them an edge in key phases of IPL 2025. His calming influence and expertise will be vital in pressure situations.
6. Atharva Taide (Vidarbha)
Atharva Taide was one of the standout batters in SMAT 2024, scoring 189 runs in 6 matches at an average of 37.80. With a strike rate of 142.10, Taide’s ability to play both anchor and accelerator roles stood out. His top score of 66demonstrated his composure, while his fluency in stroke play helped him accumulate runs quickly. His adaptability and consistency make him a reliable top-order option for SRH, providing stability and building key partnerships in IPL 2025.
7. Abhinav Manohar (Karnataka)
Abhinav Manohar was instrumental for Karnataka, scoring 106 runs in 5 innings at an average of 53.00. His quick-fire 56 not out at a strike rate of 147.22 highlighted his ability to finish matches with flair. Known for clearing the boundaries with ease, Manohar’s aggressive approach in the final overs will be invaluable to SRH in IPL 2025, providing them with much-needed firepower in the death overs.
These players, with their impressive displays in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, will be crucial to SRH’s strategy and success in IPL 2025, giving the franchise a mix of explosive batting, sharp bowling, and reliable finishing. Fans can look forward to seeing these rising stars contribute to SRH’s pursuit of glory in the next IPL season.
