📰 SMAT 2025 Round 3: Abhishek Sharma’s 148 & Ishan Kishan’s 113 Light Up Tournament🔥 | Punjab, Jharkhand Dominate

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025 witnessed one of its most explosive matchdays as Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan delivered unforgettable knocks to power their respective teams to commanding victories. The third round of India’s premier domestic T20 tournament produced high-scoring thrillers, massive individual milestones, and a reshuffling of group standings as teams headed into the crucial mid-phase of the competition.

⭐ Abhishek Sharma’s 52-ball 148 Stuns Bengal

Punjab opener Abhishek Sharma produced one of the greatest knocks in SMAT history, smashing 148 off just 52 balls, including 11 sixes, to dismantle Bengal in Hyderabad. The left-hander reached his hundred in just 32 balls, registering the fastest century of this year’s tournament.

His blistering knock propelled Punjab to a formidable total and eventually a 112-run victory, reinforcing Punjab’s position at the top of Group C. Sharma’s aggressive start, fearless shot-making, and clean hitting left the Bengal bowling unit helpless as boundaries rained across the stadium.

Cricket analysts described his innings as “IPL mega-auction material” and “a statement knock ahead of national selection windows.”

⭐ Ishan Kishan Returns to Form With Unbeaten 113

Jharkhand’s Ishan Kishan produced an explosive comeback, hammering an unbeaten 113 off 50 balls to guide his team to an 8-wicket win over Tripura. The wicketkeeper-batter struck 10 fours and 8 sixes, dominating the chase from the very first over.

Kishan, who has been under scrutiny following inconsistent performances, showed glimpses of his old flair. Jharkhand now sits at the top of Group D, with Kishan’s century boosting both the team’s confidence and his own chances of making a national return.

⭐ Other Key Performances

• Sanju Samson continued his excellent form for Kerala, playing another crucial match-winning innings as Kerala strengthened their position in the elite group race.
• Bowlers across teams struggled on batting-friendly pitches, raising concerns ahead of the Super League stage.
• Several emerging players impressed scouts with all-round performances, setting the stage for intense competition in upcoming rounds.

📊 Tournament Impact

• Punjab now leads Group C, riding on Sharma’s historic knock.
• Jharkhand tops Group D, powered by Kishan’s unbeaten ton.
• With the IPL 2026 auction and India selections looming, SMAT performances are under high watch by talent scouts and selectors.
• As run-fests dominate the early rounds, teams are expected to rework bowling combinations to control powerplay damage.

🔍 What Lies Ahead

With the tournament wide open and key teams still fighting for qualification, the upcoming rounds are expected to bring:

• Bowlers stepping up with new plans
• Teams opting for more spinners on flat pitches
• Aggressive batting dominating the first innings
• Pressure building on underperforming units like Bengal & Tripura

The fireworks on display in Round 3 have set the tone for what promises to be a record-breaking season of domestic T20 cricket.