If you ever needed a reminder of why domestic T20 cricket is the lifeblood of the sport, Thursday’s action in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was it. We saw everything from a nail-biter that went down to the very last ball to seasoned veterans making undeniable statements. It was a day filled with high drama, emerging heroes, and established stars reminding us exactly what they're capable of. Let's just say, it was a fantastic day for Indian cricket.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Odisha pulls off a heart-stopping 1-run victory over Railways in the tournament's most thrilling match yet.
- ✓ 22-year-old Soumya Lenka delivered an unforgettable all-round performance with an unbeaten 75 off 40 balls and figures of 3/50.
- ✓ Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami sent a powerful message to selectors with a stunning 4 for 13 spell, guiding Bengal to a dominant win.
- ✓ Hardik Pandya showcased his value with the ball, returning economical figures of 1 for 16 as Baroda crushed Gujarat.
- ✓ Yashvardhan Dalal's explosive unbeaten 76 off 44 balls anchored Haryana's comfortable chase against Himachal Pradesh.
The Thriller in Lucknow: Odisha's Unbelievable 1-Run Heist
You’ve got to hear about this one. Over in Lucknow, Odisha and Railways played out what has to be the most thrilling match of the 2025-26 tournament so far. It was an absolute roller coaster that had everyone on the edge of their seats, and it all came down to a single run. The hero of the hour? A 22-year-old from Rourkela named Soumya Lenka, who was making his senior debut in this very tournament. What a way to announce yourself!
The situation looked grim for Odisha early on. They were reeling at 38/4 in the seventh over, and a competitive total felt miles away. In walked Soumya at No. 6, and what he did next was simply sensational. He didn't just rebuild; he launched a blistering counter-attack, smashing 6 sixes and 3 fours on his way to a breathtaking unbeaten 75 off just 40 balls. It was a knock of pure confidence and power.
He found a brilliant partner in another young gun, Aashirwad Swain, who played a mature, steadying hand with a run-a-ball 48. Together, they stitched together a massive 105-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Here's the thing – this wasn't just a good partnership; it was Odisha's highest ever in T20 cricket. It completely derailed the Railways bowlers and single-handedly lifted their team to a fighting total of 169/5.
The Dramatic Final Over
But the drama was far from over. Chasing 170, Railways also had a shaky start, finding themselves at 37/3. Then came a fightback led by Akshat Pandey, who played a fantastic knock of 60 from 34 balls to keep his team right in the hunt. It all came down to the final over. Railways needed just 10 runs to win. And who was given the ball? None other than the man of the moment, Soumya Lenka.
With immense pressure on his young shoulders, he delivered. He dismissed two batters off successive balls, turning the game on its head once again. It all came down to the final delivery, with Railways needing a couple of runs to win. In a chaotic finish, Biplab Samantray effected a crucial run-out, and Odisha scraped home by a single run. An absolutely unforgettable victory.
Shami's Roar: A Veteran Sends a Timely Reminder
While a young star was being born in Lucknow, a seasoned veteran was making a thunderous statement elsewhere. Senior India pacer Mohammed Shami has been on the fringes of the national setup recently, but his performance for Bengal against Services was a loud and clear message to chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the team management: he is still one of the best in the business.
Shami was simply unplayable. He showcased all his class, experience, and control to dismantle the Services batting lineup. He struck twice in his opening over, removing both openers to immediately put Bengal on top. He later returned to clean up the tail, finishing with the outstanding figures of 4 for 13. His precision and relentless pressure ensured Services were bundled out for 165, a total that never looked enough.
Bengal’s batters made sure his efforts didn't go to waste. Captain Abhimanyu Easwaran, looking to impress ahead of the IPL auction, was in fine touch, smashing 58 off 37 balls. He was matched by wicketkeeper-batter Abhishek Porel, who played an explosive knock of 56 from just 29 deliveries. Their whirlwind 93-run partnership sealed the deal as Bengal cruised to a seven-wicket victory in just 15.1 overs.
The All-Rounders Are Firing
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is also the perfect tune-up for India's white-ball regulars, and Hardik Pandya was in action for Baroda. Coming off a big score with the bat in his previous game, he showed his immense value with the ball this time around. In a one-sided clash against Gujarat, Hardik was incredibly disciplined, returning tight figures of 1 for 16 from his four overs.
His relentless pressure was part of a superb team bowling effort that saw Gujarat crumble for a paltry 73 runs. While Hardik got the key wicket of Urvil Patel, the real star with the ball was young pacer Raj Limbani, who ripped through the middle order with a sensational spell of 3 for 5. Baroda knocked off the runs in just 6.4 overs, a clinical performance all around. For Hardik, it's the perfect preparation as he gets set to join the Indian T20I squad on December 6.
In another group fixture, Haryana also put on a complete performance to beat Himachal Pradesh by seven wickets. The seamers did the job first, with Anshul Kamboj (3/44) and Anuj Thakral (3/31) sharing six wickets. Then, the in-form Yashvardhan Dalal took charge of the chase with an authoritative, unbeaten 76 off 44 balls, laced with seven fours and four towering sixes, to see his team home comfortably.
Conclusion
What a day of cricket! The action from the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was a perfect showcase of everything we love about the T20 format. We saw the emergence of a potential new star in Soumya Lenka, whose all-round brilliance in a high-pressure game was something special. We also saw the undeniable class of a veteran like Mohammed Shami, who proved that form is temporary, but class is permanent.
The bottom line is that the domestic circuit is buzzing with talent and excitement. From nerve-wracking finishes to dominant displays, these matches are not just about winning a trophy; they are about players making their case, finding their form, and giving fans incredible entertainment. It’s a powerful reminder that the heart of Indian cricket beats strongest right here.
