In a spectacular display of power-hitting, Ishan Kishan chose the grandest stage to announce his return to form, blasting a match-winning century to secure Jharkhand's first-ever Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter's explosive innings of 101 runs from just 49 deliveries turned the final against Haryana into a completely one-sided affair at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
A Knock of Perfect Timing
The timing of Ishan Kishan's magnificent century could not have been more significant. With national selectors Pragyan Ojha, Ajay Ratra, and RP Singh in attendance, the Jharkhand skipper delivered a performance that loudly inserts his name into the conversation for the upcoming T20 World Cup squad. This statement innings comes after his last T20I appearance for India in 2023, where he was dismissed for a duck against Australia.
Kishan, who also finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer and top six-hitter, showcased a masterclass in controlled aggression. He dismantled the Haryana bowling attack, hitting six fours and ten massive sixes. His knock was a blend of calculated risk and pure power, as he consistently disrupted the bowlers' lengths and cleared the boundary ropes with remarkable ease.
Record Partnership Seals the Deal
After the early dismissal of Virat Singh, Kishan found a perfect ally in Kumar Kushagra. The duo unleashed carnage, stitching together a record-breaking partnership of 177 runs that completely broke Haryana's spirit. Kushagra matched his captain shot for shot, contributing a blistering 81 off just 38 balls, which included eight fours and five sixes.
Even after Kishan was bowled by Sumit Kumar and Kushagra fell to Samant Jakhar shortly after, the damage was irreversible. A late surge from Anukul Roy, who remained unbeaten on 40 off 20 balls, and Robin Minz, with 31* off 14, propelled Jharkhand to a mammoth total of 262 for 3 in their 20 overs.
Haryana's Mountainous Chase Falls Short
Faced with a daunting target of 263, Haryana's chase never gained solid footing. Jharkhand's left-arm seamer Vikash Singh struck early, and Sushant Mishra provided crucial pace and bounce, keeping the pressure on from the start. While Yashvardhan Dalal threatened briefly with a 19-ball fifty on his way to 53, and Nishant Sindhu scored 31 off 15, the required rate was always overwhelming.
The chase's momentum was decisively cut off by left-arm spinner Anukul Roy, who dismissed both Dalal and Sindhu in quick succession. Despite a valiant 38 off 17 balls from Samant Jakhar, Haryana was eventually bowled out for 193 in 18.3 overs, handing Jharkhand a comprehensive victory by 69 runs.
This historic win marks Jharkhand's maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy crown and only their second domestic title overall, following their Vijay Hazare Trophy triumph back in the 2010-11 season. For Ishan Kishan, this century is more than just a trophy-winning knock; it is a powerful and timely reminder of his match-winning abilities on the eve of major national team selections.
