Saurashtra Rise, Karnataka Knock Out Tamil Nadu, Punjab Fight On

Baroda felt the absence of Hardik Pandya as Naman Dhir once again delivered an impressive performance in the fifth round of the SMAT 2024. Saurashtra posted a formidable 266 for 6, marking the second-highest total in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy history, and secured a commanding 78-run victory over Group B leaders Baroda. This fourth win in five matches propelled Saurashtra to second place on the points table, with Baroda, Saurashtra, and Gujarat occupying the top three spots, separated only by net run rate.

Baroda’s bowling attack, missing the rested Hardik Pandya—the tournament’s leading six-hitter—struggled against a powerful Saurashtra lineup. Harvik Desai, the wicketkeeper, set the tone with an explosive 39-ball 76. Opener Tarang Goel also made a quick impact, scoring 40 off just 15 balls, while Jay Gohil’s late fireworks, an 18-ball 53 at No. 6, added significant momentum.

Baroda’s pursuit faltered early as they slumped to 29 for 3 within the powerplay. Despite a spirited effort to salvage their net run rate, finishing at 188 for 8, they couldn’t prevent Saurashtra from claiming a decisive 78-run victory, although they managed to stay atop the table.

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Karnataka Eliminate Tamil Nadu from Contention

Karnataka’s fast bowler, Vasuki Koushik, capitalized on the early morning moisture in Indore to deliver an extraordinary opening spell, taking three wickets in his first two overs and leaving Tamil Nadu reeling at 7 for 4. Tamil Nadu were eventually bowled out for just 90, as Karnataka, powered by Manish Pandey’s 42, chased down the target in a swift 11.3 overs.

With the points table tightly contested and Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Baroda ahead of them, this match was effectively a knockout for Tamil Nadu. The result sealed their fate, meaning they will be eliminated from the group stage of a tournament they had dominated in recent years, winning back-to-back titles in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

Dhir and Ramandeep Propel Punjab’s Survival Bid

Punjab continue to walk a tightrope in the tournament. Following a dramatic Super Over victory over Mizoram two nights ago, they secured a seven-run win against Hyderabad to keep their slim knockout hopes alive. The win on Sunday was driven by standout performances from Naman Dhir, who is highly regarded by Mumbai Indians, and Ramandeep Singh, retained by Kolkata Knight Riders before the recent auction.

Punjab set a formidable target of 196 for 6, bolstered by Anmolpreet Singh’s 60 and Ramandeep’s explosive 11-ball 39 not out. Despite a strong fight from Hyderabad, who finished at 189, Punjab’s bowlers managed to seal the win, with Dhir claiming his first five-wicket haul in T20 cricket. Hyderabad’s captain, Tilak Varma, struggled to make an impact, scoring just 9 off 9 balls.

The scorecard hardly told the full story of how one-sided the game seemed when Hyderabad were reduced to 141 for 8 in 17 overs. However, Chama Milind, the left-arm seamer, turned the tide with an explosive 22-ball 55, hitting a flurry of sixes that brought Hyderabad back into contention. Despite his efforts, Arshdeep Singh struck the decisive blow to clinch victory for Punjab.

Bharat and Bhui Power Andhra to Victory

Andhra, unbeaten in their last four games, are now in a strong position to reach the knockouts. However, their path ahead is challenging, with upcoming matches against Kerala and Mumbai, both of whom are also vying for a spot in the knockout stages and are close competitors in Group E.

On Sunday, Andhra posted an imposing total of 222 for 8 against Services, securing a 23-run victory. KS Bharat set the tone with an aggressive 39-ball 63 at the top of the order, while Ricky Bhui’s blistering 84 off just 35 balls, featuring five sixes, propelled their innings. Despite a spirited chase led by Services’ captain Mohit Ahlawat, who hit 74 off 37, Cheepurapalli Stephen’s disciplined bowling (3 for 26) ensured Andhra’s win, as Services fell short at 199.

Katarzyna Nowak

Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for The Wicket Insider, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.