SMAT 2024-25: Mumbai, Baroda, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh Advance to Semifinals

New Delhi, Dec 11 (NationPress) Outstanding batting displays were pivotal as Mumbai, Baroda, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh advanced to the semifinals of the 2024/25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy following victories in their respective quarterfinal matches held in Alur and Bengaluru.

Madhya Pradesh made their first semifinal appearance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy since the 2010/11 season by defeating Saurashtra by six wickets. Saurashtra scored 174/7, with Chirag Jani contributing a brilliant unbeaten 80 off 45 balls.

In response, Arpit Gaud (42) and Subhranshu Senapati (24) provided a strong start for Madhya Pradesh. Captain Rajat Patidar (28) along with Venkatesh Iyer, who scored 38 not out off 33 balls, helped secure the win with Harpreet Singh Bhatia adding a quick-fire nine-ball 22 not out, sealing the match with four balls remaining.

Baroda maintained their excellent form by reaching the semifinals after defeating Bengal by 41 runs. Their total of 172 was set up by openers Shashwat Rawat (40) and Abhimanyusingh Rajput (37), who shared a 90-run opening partnership.

Significant contributions from Shivalik Sharma (24), Bhanu Pania (17), and Vishnu Solanki (16 not out) boosted Baroda's score. In reply, Lukman Meriwala claimed three wickets in one over, while Shahbaz Ahmed fought hard with 55 off 36 balls, but Bengal was bundled out for 131 in just 18 overs.

Mumbai had previously stunned by chasing down 230 against Andhra Pradesh and continued their impressive run by successfully chasing 222 against Vidarbha. Atharva Taide (66) and Apoorv Wankhade (51) put together an 81-run partnership for the third wicket, while Shubham Dubey (43), Mandar Mahale (13), and Jitesh Sharma (11) ensured they crossed the 220 mark.

In response, Ajinkya Rahane added 83 runs in a swift opening partnership with Prithvi Shaw (49). Rahane went on to score 84 off 45 balls before Yash Thakur dismissed him in the 16th over.

Suryansh Shedge (37 not out) struck 24 runs off Mahale in the 17th over, while Shivam Dube hit a couple of sixes off Dipesh Parwani to seal the win for Mumbai.

Delhi, the semifinalists from last year, secured their spot in the last four with a 19-run victory over Uttar Pradesh. Wicketkeeper-batter Anuj Rawat scored an impressive unbeaten 73 off just 33 deliveries, contributing to Delhi's total of 193/3, with Priyansh Arya (44) and Yash Dhull (42) also playing key roles.

In defending their significant total, Delhi's bowlers, spearheaded by Prince Yadav with figures of 3-36, restricted Uttar Pradesh to 174. Although Priyam Garg scored 54, he lacked support from his teammates. The semifinals are scheduled for Friday in Bengaluru, where Mumbai will face Baroda and Delhi will take on Madhya Pradesh.

Brief scores:

Saurashtra 173/7 in 20 overs (Chirag Jani 80 not out, Venkatesh Iyer 2-23, Avesh Kahn 2-51) lost to Madhya Pradesh 174/4 in 19.2 overs (Arpit Gaud 42, Venkatesh Iyer 38 not out, Prerak Mankad 1-20) by six wickets

Baroda 172/7 in 20 overs (Shashwat Rawat 40, Abhimanyusingh Rajput 37, Pradipta Pramanik 2-6) beat Bengal 131 all out in 18 overs (Shahbaz Ahmed 55, Lukman Meriwala 3-17, Hardik Pandya 3-27) by 41 runs

Vidarbha 221/6 in 20 overs (Atharva Taide 66, Apoorv Wankhade 51; Atharva Ankolekar 2-32) lost to Mumbai 224/4 in 19.2 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 84, Prithvi Shaw 49, Shivam Dube 37 not out; Dipesh Parwani 2-33) by six wickets

Delhi 193/3 in 20 overs (Anuj Rawat 73 not out, Priyansh Arya 44; Nitish Rana 1-23) beat Uttar Pradesh 174 all out in 20 overs (Priyam Garg 54, Prince Yadav 3-36, Suyash Sharma 2-36) by 19 runs