The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025 is proving to be a tournament of stark contrasts. On one hand, you have the world’s best T20I batter struggling under the weight of expectation. On the other, a master-and-apprentice duo is rewriting the history books with a performance for the ages. It’s a classic story of pressure versus opportunity, and it’s all unfolding right now.
Key Highlights
- ✓ World No. 1 T20I batter Abhishek Sharma continues his poor run, scoring just 6 for Punjab.
- ✓ Kerala’s Rohan Kunnummal and Sanju Samson create history with a record 177-run opening partnership.
- ✓ Kunnummal smashes an incredible 101 from 54 balls, becoming the first Kerala batter with multiple T20 tons.
- ✓ While Sharma faltered, Haryana’s Nishant Sindhu impressed with a quick-fire 61 from 32 balls.
- ✓ Kunnummal’s century marks a potential comeback after a prolonged slump in form in recent seasons.
The Pressure on Punjab's Captain
Let's talk about Abhishek Sharma. The 25-year-old from Amritsar came into this tournament with a massive reputation—not just as Punjab's captain, but as the World No. 1 T20I batter. The expectation was that he would lead from the front, but it’s been a tough ride for him so far. Talk about a rough day at the office.
In a crucial match against Haryana on Friday, his team was chasing a mammoth 208 runs. This was his moment to shine, to play a captain's knock. Instead, he was walking back to the pavilion after scoring just six runs from five balls, bowled by Anshul Kamboj. It was a huge blow to Punjab's chase.
Sadly, this isn't an isolated incident. This dismissal marks his second consecutive failure in the tournament, following a score of just four runs against Himachal Pradesh. It seems the pressure is mounting, and this lean patch extends beyond the SMAT. His recent performances for India A against South Africa A—scores of 31, 32, and 11—didn't exactly set the world on fire either.
A Missed Opportunity
What's really frustrating for Sharma and his fans is that this slump couldn't have come at a worse time. He had a golden chance to earn a spot in India's ODI team for the home series against South Africa. While he couldn't capitalize, another young talent, Maharashtra's Ruturaj Gaikwad, grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
Gaikwad smashed a century and a half-century in that same India A series, which ultimately earned him a call-up to the national side as a replacement for the injured Shubman Gill. It just goes to show how quickly fortunes can change in cricket. While one star struggles, another rises to the occasion.
A Masterclass in Partnership
Now, let's shift gears and travel to Lucknow, where a completely different story was unfolding in the Kerala vs. Odisha match. If Sharma's innings was about pressure and disappointment, this was a story of pure joy, dominance, and incredible teamwork. Kerala chased down Odisha's total of 176/7 without losing a single wicket.
The architects of this stunning 10-wicket victory were Sanju Samson and his younger partner, Rohan Kunnummal. Together, they put on a historic 177-run opening partnership—the highest ever for the first wicket in the history of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. It was a breathtaking display of batting that left everyone in awe.
What was so beautiful about this partnership was the dynamic between the two players. Samson, the established star and captain, took on the role of the anchor. He shelved his usual aggressive flair, nudged the ball around for singles, and focused on giving his partner the strike. The few onlookers present might have wondered if it was the same Samson who has three T20I hundreds for India, but his selfless play was the perfect foil for what was to come.
The Apprentice Shines Brightest
With Samson holding one end steady, the 27-year-old Kunnummal was free to unleash his full potential. And boy, did he deliver. He hammered an unbelievable 101 not out from just 54 balls, a knock that included 10 fours and an equal number of sixes. This made him the first-ever Kerala batter to score multiple centuries in the T20 format.
Kunnummal later revealed just how crucial Samson's presence was. "He will take all the initiative and guide me," he said. "You just have to stay there at the wicket and make sure you are following his instructions." At one point, when Kunnummal felt he wasn't timing the ball well, Samson simply told him to "react to the ball and play to the merit." That simple advice was all he needed to trust his instincts and let loose.
The Road to Redemption for Kunnummal
You see, this incredible century wasn't just a flash in the pan; it was the culmination of a long, hard journey. Kunnummal was once seen as Kerala's next big batting prodigy, especially after a stellar 2021-22 Ranji Trophy season where he scored three hundreds and a fifty in just four innings, averaging an astonishing 139.
However, things went downhill from there. In the following three Ranji campaigns, he managed only one century and struggled to convert his starts. His form dipped, and even in the current Ranji season, he had only scored 162 runs in four matches. He admitted his desperation, saying, "I was so desperate to have a hundred. Every player knows how it feels when he is not scoring as much as he expected."
This knock feels like a massive turning point. Interestingly, Kunnummal's most successful seasons have always come with high strike rates. This onslaught, coming at a strike rate of 201.67, could be the launchpad he needs for a powerful resurgence. He also gives immense credit to Kerala coach Amay Khurasiya for organizing extensive practice camps, saying, "This season is the most practised year for me."
Conclusion
The ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is a brilliant reminder of the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket. We're witnessing the immense pressure faced by top-ranked players like Abhishek Sharma, where every failure is magnified. At the same time, we're seeing incredible comeback stories like that of Rohan Kunnummal, whose record-breaking century, guided by the selfless leadership of Sanju Samson, has stolen the show. It’s these contrasting tales of struggle and triumph that make domestic cricket so compelling to watch.
