Is Yashasvi Jaiswal Joining Mumbai's Squad for SMAT?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Yashasvi Jaiswal joining Mumbai squad enhances their lineup.
- Mumbai is currently leading with five wins in SMAT.
- Final league match against Odisha is on December 8.
- Top teams will advance to Super League in Pune.
- Rohit Sharma's participation remains unconfirmed.
New Delhi, Dec 7 (NationPress) Following an impressive century during the final ODI against South Africa in Visakhapatnam, Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is allegedly set to join the Mumbai squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).
According to a report from Cricbuzz, a senior official from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has confirmed Jaiswal's participation for the tournament. "He has made himself available for the SMAT campaign," the official stated on Sunday.
The defending champions, Mumbai, who are led by Shardul Thakur, are currently in Lucknow and leading Elite Group A with five victories out of six matches. Their final league match is scheduled for December 8 against Odisha.
The top two teams from each of the four Elite Groups will advance to the Super League. This subsequent stage will take place in Pune on December 12, 14, and 16, concluding with the championship final on December 18.
Jaiswal, who last played in the quarter-finals of the 2023–24 season, missed the previous edition due to international commitments. In 28 games in the tournament, the 23-year-old has scored 648 runs in 26 innings, with an average of 27 and a strike rate of 136.42, including three fifties.
The Indian national selection committee has decided to rest Jaiswal for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa, having announced a 15-member squad captained by Suryakumar Yadav on December 3.
However, the status of Rohit Sharma for SMAT remains uncertain. Although there have been suggestions about his possible inclusion, the Mumbai Cricket Association has yet to receive official confirmation. Sources within the team indicated that Rohit was likely to participate in the T20 tournament, but as of Sunday morning, nothing has been confirmed.
Jaiswal's addition to the Mumbai squad is expected to enhance the team's prospects, especially following his remarkable unbeaten ODI century, where he scored an impressive 116* off 121 balls, helping India comfortably achieve a 271-run target and clinch the three-match series 2-1.