Each home season has its single round, the type that turns stories around, upends auction lists, and gets a couple of players’ names in selectors’ notebooks underlined twice. The sixth round of the 2025–26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was very much that. With all the century-making from the first half of the tournament, the bowling clearly regained the upper hand, and this is now about who survives and who doesn’t as opposed to a buying frenzy for runs.
With the Super League phase in sight and the 2026 IPL auction just days away, pressure-sculpted performances of rare intent. Some players protected their reputations; others carved new ones with steel, swagger, or pure chaos. A few young guns previously just footnotes delivered innings or spells that could nudge franchise think tanks into late-night discussions.
Kamboj Turns the Tide for Haryana
Anshul Kamboj
Matches that excite IPL scouts are rarely neat; they are chaotic, tense, and decided by players who thrive in the noise. Haryana’s clash with Baroda delivered exactly that, and Anshul Kamboj became the disruptor-in-chief.
After Haryana posted a solid 174, Kamboj didn’t wait for rhythm; he manufactured it. Two powerplay strikes put Baroda on the back foot, but it was his dismissal of Jitesh Sharma on 33 that cracked the chase open. Few bowlers remove Jitesh mid-rampage; fewer do it with the game on the line.
Choudhary’s Firestorm Stuns Delhi
Mukul Choudhary
Domestic cricket occasionally gifts us an innings that feels like it escaped from a T20 folklore book. Mukul Choudhary’s unbeaten 62 off 26 balls for Rajasthan was exactly that: seven sixes, zero nerves, and one spectacular heist.
Chasing 176, Rajasthan were teetering at 98/4 in the 13th over. The script said, “First defeat incoming.” Mukul rewrote it with astonishing violence. The standout? His ability to keep the momentum even as partners departed. It wasn’t slogging; it was selective brutality, the kind finishers are built on.
Arshad Khan’s Spell from Another Universe
Arshad Khan
T20 cricket doesn’t frequently accommodate six-wicket hauls. It rarely allows six for under ten. But Madhya Pradesh’s Arshad Khan broke that ceiling with a spell so ruthlessly efficient that Chandigarh never recovered.
Three wickets in the first four overs shredded the top order; the returning burst completed the demolition. Figures of 6/9 are not statistical quirks they are auction-shifting numbers. They speak of sharp lengths, pace variation, and the ability to pre-empt batters’ movements. MP chased down the target comfortably, but the story of the match remained Arshad’s ruthless precision.
Abhishek Sharma’s All-Round Supremacy Continues
Abhishek Sharma
Some domestic seasons feel predestined for a player. 2025-26 SMAT is rapidly becoming Abhishek Sharma’s personal highlight reel. His latest assault: a 34-ball 62 in Punjab’s mammoth 233/6 against Services, followed by a two-over spell worth only 8 runs and two early wickets.
It’s as if every aspect of Abhishek’s cricket is being performed at an elite level. His ball striking has been cleaner than ever, he seems to read the game faster, and his bowling is a lot more intelligent. Punjab’s commanding 73-run win over the Indians put them in first place in Group C, with him in perfect timing.
Mridul Surroch’s Lone Battle Lights Up a Losing Cause
Rarely does the highest scorer on the day leave the pitch as a loser, but Mridul Surroch did so after an unbelievable display of cricket for Himachal Pradesh. At just 22 years old and leading his struggling team, which was at 26/3, Surroch’s incredible 88 in just 48 balls displayed an abundance of variety, intent, and experience.
Surroch then took to the bowling crease, where he bowled three overs for 45 runs. He dragged the game down to the last delivery, where it ultimately came down to one run to seal victory for Gujarat.
Key Takeaway
If Round Six taught us anything, it’s that SMAT is no place for the faint-hearted. The week belonged to the disruptors, the players who didn’t just endure the pressure but actively ran toward the fire.
FAQs
- What made Arshad Khan’s spell historic?
Taking 6 wickets for just 9 runs in a T20 is an ultra-rare feat and one of the best spells in SMAT history.
- Why is Abhishek Sharma’s form crucial now?
He’s joining India’s T20I squad soon, and his SMAT dominance signals international-level readiness.
- How did Mukul Choudhary change Rajasthan’s game?
His 26-ball 62 turned a near-certain defeat into a last-ball heist with seven sixes.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
Step into the world of cricket with JeetBuzz News—where expert opinions, trending Blogs, and behind-the-scenes insights meet all your favorite topics. Stay informed, stay entertained, and never miss the stories shaping the cricketing world—only on JeetBuzz News!
