Jharkhand’s Historic Triumph: Record-Breaking Chase Seals Victory Over Punjab in SMAT 2025-26

Salil Arora dazzled with a remarkable 125 for Punjab, but a collective batting effort from Jharkhand led them to a superb six-wicket victory in their Super League Group A match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Ambi on Friday.

Arora’s explosive innings (45 balls, 9 fours, 11 sixes), where he reached his century in just 39 balls, helped Punjab to a formidable total of 235 for six in 20 overs after being in a precarious position at 28 for two.

In the final over, Arora took on Sushant Mishra, hitting the left-arm pacer for three sixes and a four, boosting Punjab to an intimidating total.

Arora’s stellar performance would likely have caught the attention of IPL scouts, just days before next week’s mini auction. He is listed in the Rs. 30 lakh category.

Though Arora can also serve as a wicketkeeper-batter, it was Punjab’s captain, Prabhsimran Singh, who kept wickets during this game.

Jharkhand’s chase was spearheaded by Kumar Kushagra (86 not out off 42 balls), captain Ishan Kishan (47 off 23 balls), Anukul Roy (37 off 17 balls), and Pankaj Kumar (39 off 18 balls), as they successfully chased down the target in 18.1 overs, setting a new record for the highest successful run chase in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy history.

Highest Successful Run Chases in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

• Target: 236 – Jharkhand (237/4) defeated Punjab – Ambi – December 2025
• Target: 230 – Mumbai (233/6) defeated Andhra – Hyderabad – December 2024
• Target: 227 – Pondicherry (228/6) defeated Andhra – Mumbai – January 2021
• Target: 223 – Baroda (224/3) defeated Punjab – Hyderabad – December 2025
• Target: 222 – Baroda (222/7) defeated Tamil Nadu – Indore – November 2024

(With inputs from PTI)

Published on Dec 12, 2025