Mumbai etched another golden mark in their cricket history. They bagged their second Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy SMAT 2024 title, beating Madhya Pradesh by five wickets at the famed M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The game was filled with fierce cricket, standout acts, and charged atmosphere that elevated a regular domestic T20 match to an epic event.
The Chinnaswamy Stadium, known for its lively atmosphere in IPL and international matches, saw an unusual sight—a whopping 15,000 spectators for a domestic game. It all started with the typically quiet P3 stand brimming with spectators, which nudged the KSCA to unlock more parts of the stadium for the eager fans. The ambiance was electric as the Bengaluru locals came in huge numbers to watch local champion Rajat Patidar and other cricket stars shine.
Mumbai’s captain, Shreyas Iyer, commented on the crowd’s zeal, “The energy at Chinnaswamy is always off the charts when we play here. The amount of fans today, felt like an IPL final. Despite their clear enthusiasm for Patidar, they also expressed their love for our team. It was an amazing experience.”
In their first batting turn, Madhya Pradesh had a tough start. They kept losing batters as Mumbai’s once underwhelming bowlers began to shine. At both 48 for 3 in the eighth over and 86 for 5 in the thirteenth, team leader Rajat Patidar had to step up. Scoring an impressive 81 off of only 40 balls, Patidar led by example. He hit six sixes and six fours. As people chanted “RCB, RCB”, Patidar became a model of successful T20 batting.
Madhya Pradesh got to a respectable 174 for 8, thanks to Patidar. But, even that great score wasn’t enough against the strong Mumbai team. After the game, Patidar said, “We gave our all. Still, Mumbai played better tonight. We loved the crowd’s energy, even though we didn’t win.” Mumbai’s winning run was based on the hard work and skill of Suryakumar Yadav and Ajinkya Rahane. After initially struggling with a score of 47 for 2, these two players joined forces and scored 52 runs together.
Rahane’s calm 37 and Suryakumar’s dynamic 48 helped steady Mumbai. Then, the young Suryansh Shedge took over after them. Just 21 years old, Shedge dramatically changed the game’s pace with his amazing score of 36 off 15 balls. His bold six off
Venkatesh Iyer in the seventeenth over was a special part of the game. With Atharva Ankolekar, Shedge secured an incredible 51 runs in just 19 balls. Shedge’s style and certainty were key to Mumbai’s win. They reached their goal with 13 balls still left to spare. Shedge said after the game, “It’s hard to express what this win means. The crowd, the pressure—it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Pulling my weight in such an important match boosts my confidence greatly.”
This final game wasn’t simply another home match. It was a cricket spectacle that spilled over the field’s edges. The spectators applauded every six, called out for key wickets, and voiced their thoughts on the referees’ decisions, creating a drama-filled atmosphere.
Fans faithful to Rajat Patidar and Madhya Pradesh were relentless in their support. Yet, they also praised Suryakumar Yadav’s bold swings and Shedge’s ingenious tactics. The game’s winning conclusion, marked by Ankolekar’s six, prompted a forceful standing ovation. It was clear; cricket was the star attraction that evening.
Mumbai’s victory embodiment their robust status within Indian local cricket. Nevertheless, the spotlight was shared amongst all contributors – the athletes, the spectators, and cricket itself. Madhya Pradesh may have lost, but their energetic pursuit, driven by Patidar, exhibited their strength and potential. For the attendees in Bengaluru’s distinguished stadium or those reliving the moments via match highlights, December 15, 2024, became a memorable milestone.
The electrifying audience, the palpable passion, and the collective adoration for cricket distinguished the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final as an unforgettable occasion.
