Hardik Pandya once again proved his worth as a firebrand T20 player as he smashed 69 runs off just 30 balls, including seven sixes and five boundaries, to lead Baroda to a stunning seven-wicket victory over Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. While his skipping of domestic cricket has caused controversy among fans, Pandya's explosive performance and Player of the Match title demonstrate why he is a valuable asset to the Indian cricket team. In a separate match, Shreyas Iyer showed why he was worth his whopping INR 26.75 crore IPL auction price tag, scoring 71 runs off 39 balls to help Mumbai beat Maharashtra by 5 wickets in just 17.1 overs.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Hardik Pandya and Shreyas Iyer Shine
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India's domestic Twenty20 cricket tournament, is currently underway, with several top players making waves.
Hardik Pandya Leads Baroda to Victory
All-rounder Hardik Pandya once again underlined his status as a dynamic T20 performer, guiding Baroda to a resounding win over Tamil Nadu. Pandya's astonishing innings, which included seven sixes and five boundaries, propelled Baroda to a comfortable seven-wicket victory. Despite missing domestic cricket due to injury and national team commitments, Pandya showed why he remains a vital cog in India's T20 setup.
Shreyas Iyer Impresses for Mumbai
Another notable performance came from Shreyas Iyer, who justified his high price tag at the recent IPL auction. The Mumbai batsman showcased his brilliant form with a blistering 71 runs off 39 balls, helping Mumbai defeat Maharashtra by five wickets. Mumbai managed to chase down the target in just 17.1 overs, thanks in large part to Iyer's aggressive knock.
Background
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is named after the legendary Indian batsman Syed Mushtaq Ali, who is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Indian cricket. The tournament, which was first played in 2009, is organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
It allows domestic teams to showcase their talent and provides a platform for players to impress the national selectors. The tournament is often seen as a stepping stone for players aspiring to represent India in international matches.
Top 5 FAQs
Who won the previous Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy?
Who holds the most titles in the tournament?
What is the format of the tournament?
Which players have had the most impact on the tournament in the past?
What is the significance of the tournament?
Arsenal have set their sights on signing promising Chelsea player Noni Madueke in order to add more offensive depth to their squad. While the Gunners have other options in mind for the left-wing position, they are still considering making an approach for Madueke. The 23-year-old winger has reportedly agreed to personal terms with Arsenal, but the club will have to weigh their options and negotiate with Chelsea for a potential deal. With competition and financial constraints, it remains to be seen if Arsenal will be able to secure a move for the talented Madueke.
The young Indian batsman, Shubman Gill, achieved a remarkable feat by surpassing the legendary Sunil Gavaskar to become the highest-scorer for India in a Test match against England. Gill's unbeaten 100 runs and partnership with Rishabh Pant propelled India's lead to a whopping 484 runs in the second Test. With four sessions still remaining, Gill's exceptional performance has put India in a commanding position to level the series.
The Indian wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant showed his class and humility in response to Harry Brook's suggestion about a 55-ball hundred during India's 2nd Test against England. Despite being on fire with the bat, Pant remained humble and focused on the team's performance, rather than personal records. This response from Pant showcases his maturity and team spirit, making him a true role model for young players.
Indian cricketer Shubman Gill has made history by becoming the highest scoring visiting batter in a Test match. The 25-year-old from Punjab broke former Australian captain Mark Taylor's record of 326 runs by scoring 269 runs in the first innings of the Edgbaston Test against England and 161 runs in the second. The only player to have scored more runs in a Test match is England's Graham Gooch, who made a total of 456 runs in a match against India in 1990. Gill's impressive performance has cemented his position as a top player in the world of cricket.
India's national cricket team, led by captain Shubman Gill, continued to dominate the second test against England on the fourth day, with a lead of 357 runs at lunch. Rishabh Pant also contributed with a brisk 41 not out, helping push India's lead to 602 before declaring. A warm reception from the crowd and opposing team marked Gill's departure after a marathon innings of 161 runs.
Former professional footballer, Thomas Partey, is facing multiple serious charges just one day before his scheduled wedding to fiancée Janine Mackson. The Ghana international, who recently ended his contract with Arsenal, is alleged to have committed the offences in 2021 and 2022, with three different women coming forward. While Partey has denied the charges, it is uncertain if the wedding will still take place in light of the recent news.
In a high-scoring Test match between India and England, Harry Brook and Jamie Smith made history by becoming the third English pair to add more than 300 runs for a single wicket. Adding 303 runs in total, they outbatted the Indian bowlers at Edgbaston on Friday, with Brook scoring an impressive 158 runs and Smith not far behind with 170. This feat has only been achieved five times in total in India-England Test matches, and this partnership is now the highest for England in Tests against India.
Barcelona's deal to sign Nico Williams has fallen through due to financial constraints, leaving the club in need of a new attacking option. Their first-choice target, Liverpool's Luis Diaz, is proving difficult to acquire, leading them to turn to Manchester United's Marcus Rashford. Rashford has expressed interest in playing for the Spanish giants, and may even be willing to take a pay cut to do so. With United demanding a high fee, a loan deal may be more likely.
Jamie Smith and Harry Brook put on a masterclass on Day 3 of the Edgbaston Test, frustrating India with their sixth-wicket partnership. The duo continued their dominant performance from the morning session, with Brook scoring his ninth Test hundred and Smith reaching his maiden Test 150. India struggled to find a breakthrough, with their bowlers conceding 106 runs in the 28-over session. With England still trailing behind by 232 runs, India will be hoping to break the partnership with the new ball.
Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna has registered the record for the worst bowling economy in the longest format of the game, among bowlers who have bowled 500 deliveries. This comes during the ongoing second test between England and India in the 2025 tour. Krishna has struggled with his economy in both tests so far, with a high economy rate of 6.50 in the first innings of the second test. This adds to his poor record in test cricket, with an average of 40.69 and an economy rate of 5.13 across five tests. Despite this, India's Shubman Gill's double century and the team's strong bowling attack have given them a good start in the second test at Edgbaston.