On a cool December evening in Pune, a cricket-crazy state finally saw its dream come true. For the first time in its 18-season history, Jharkhand lifted the coveted Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), defeating a formidable Haryana side by a massive 69 runs. At the heart of this historic triumph was its captain, Ishan Kishan, whose explosive 101 off just 49 balls wasn’t just a century—it was a statement of intent.
Table of Contents
- A Night of History for Jharkhand Cricket
- Deconstructing Ishan Kishan’s Record-Breaking Innings
- The Full Jharkhand vs Haryana SMAT Final Scorecard
- Why This Jharkhand SMAT Title Changes Everything
- Conclusion: A New Era for Jharkhand Cricket
- Sources
A Night of History for Jharkhand Cricket
Before this season, Jharkhand had never even reached the final of India’s premier domestic T20 competition. Their journey this year, however, was nothing short of legendary. Under Kishan’s leadership, they won all nine of their matches leading up to the final, a flawless campaign that culminated in the Jharkhand SMAT title on December 18, 2025 .
The venue was the MCA Stadium in Pune, and the opposition, Haryana, was no pushover. But Jharkhand’s dominance was absolute. After posting a mammoth 262 for 3—the highest-ever total in a SMAT final— they bundled out Haryana for a paltry 193, sealing a 69-run victory . This win wasn’t just a trophy; it was a validation for a state that has produced some of India’s finest cricketers but had never claimed the nation’s top T20 honor .
Deconstructing Ishan Kishan’s Record-Breaking Innings
Captain Cool? Try Captain Explosive. Ishan Kishan’s 101 off 49 balls was a masterclass in controlled aggression. His innings was studded with 7 fours and a staggering 8 sixes, striking at a rate of over 206 . This wasn’t just any century; it was the cornerstone of Jharkhand’s record total and earned him a well-deserved Player of the Match award .
Kishan wasn’t alone, though. A brilliant 81 from Kumar Kushagra provided the perfect foil, and late cameos from Anukul Roy (40 off 20) and Robin Minz (31 off 14) ensured the scoreboard kept ticking at a relentless pace . This victory also cemented Kishan’s status as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, with an incredible 517 runs at an average of 57.44 and a strike rate of 197 .
The Full Jharkhand vs Haryana SMAT Final Scorecard
Here’s the complete breakdown of the historic final:
Jharkhand Innings
- Total: 262/3 (20 overs)
- Ishan Kishan: 101 (49 balls)
- Kumar Kushagra: 81 (55 balls)
- Anukul Roy: 40 (20 balls)
- Robin Minz: 31* (14 balls)
Haryana Innings
- Total: 193 all out (19.1 overs)
- Prerak Mankad: 39 (19 balls)
- Anukul Roy (Bowling): 3/25 (4 overs)
- Chetan Sakariya (Bowling): 3/42 (4 overs)
Why This Jharkhand SMAT Title Changes Everything
This maiden title is far more than a shiny piece of silverware for Jharkhand. It marks a seismic shift in Indian domestic cricket’s power dynamics.
- From Talent Factory to Champion Producer: Jharkhand has long been known as a nursery for world-class talent like MS Dhoni and Ishan Kishan himself. Now, they’ve proven they can build a complete, champion-caliber team .
- A Blueprint for Other States: Their success, built on fearless batting and sharp bowling, offers a template for other non-traditional cricketing states .
- Boost for Local Cricket: This victory is expected to ignite a new wave of cricketing passion across the state, inspiring a new generation of players .
For fans, this win is a moment of immense pride. For the team, it’s a launchpad. This Jharkhand SMAT title signals their arrival as a serious force in Indian domestic cricket.
Conclusion: A New Era for Jharkhand Cricket
Ishan Kishan’s century was the spark, but the fire that consumed Haryana in the final was a collective blaze of talent, confidence, and unwavering belief. Jharkhand’s maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy victory is not just a historic footnote; it’s the opening chapter of a new, dominant era for cricket in the state. After years of being known for their individual stars, Jharkhand has finally announced itself as a team to be reckoned with on the national stage. The wait is over, and the future looks incredibly bright.
Sources
[INTERNAL_LINK:ishan-kishan-career-stats]
[INTERNAL_LINK:syed-mushtaq-ali-trophy-winners-list]
For more on the history of Indian domestic cricket, visit the official BCCI website.
- Times of India: Ishan Kishan explodes in final as Jharkhand script history
- ESPNcricinfo: Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26