Abhishek Sharma's Explosive Performance in SMAT 2025
Abhishek Sharma was the star of the day in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025, showcasing his exceptional T20 batting prowess. Playing for Punjab at the Gymkhana ground in Hyderabad, he scored an astonishing 148 runs off just 52 balls. His innings included 16 sixes, demonstrating his ability to dominate bowlers. This performance placed Punjab at a formidable total of 310/5 against Bengal, reinforcing their reputation as one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament.
Punjab, having won the SMAT in the 2023/24 season, entered this match with high expectations. Despite a rocky start to the season, they began with a victory over Himachal but faced a setback against Haryana in a Super Over. However, in this match against Bengal, the partnership between Abhishek and Prabhsimran Singh was explosive, as they put together a remarkable 205-run opening stand in just 12.3 overs.
Abhishek's innings was a spectacle, with a strike rate of 284.62. He hit five sixes against renowned bowlers like Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep, underlining his capability to tackle any bowling attack. His explosive batting had the crowd on their feet, and at one point, he had hit more sixes than singles, which showcased his aggressive approach. With the middle-order contributing significantly, Punjab finished with the second-highest total in SMAT history.
On the other hand, Bengal struggled to chase down the challenging target. Although Abhimanyu Easwaran scored an impressive 130 runs off 66 balls, his efforts were not enough to prevent a 112-run defeat. Bengal’s innings faltered as they lost wickets consistently, unable to build any significant partnerships.
In other matches, Mumbai's Ayush Mhatre also made headlines with a century against Andhra. Scoring 104 runs off 59 balls, he led his team to a comfortable victory. Meanwhile, Delhi clinched a thrilling win against Saurashtra, showcasing the high level of competition in this year’s SMAT.
This season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is proving to be exciting, with remarkable performances from players across various teams. Abhishek Sharma’s innings will surely be remembered as one of the highlights of the tournament.
