The stage is set for a historic showdown in Indian domestic cricket as two first-time finalists, Haryana and Jharkhand, lock horns in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025-26 final. The summit clash will be played at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Wednesday, December 18, 2025, promising a thrilling conclusion to a season that featured 125 action-packed matches.
Road to the Final: Dream Runs for Both Sides
Both teams have defied expectations to reach this pinnacle. Jharkhand, led by the dynamic Ishan Kishan, enjoyed a near-perfect campaign. They were unstoppable in the group stage, winning all seven of their matches. Their dominance continued into the Super League, where their only minor stumble was a loss to Andhra in their final group game before securing their historic final berth.
On the other hand, Haryana's journey has been one of resilience and grit. Having qualified as the second-ranked team from Elite Group C, they faced a formidable Super League group. Against strong opponents like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Rajasthan, Haryana showcased their mettle, topping the challenging group to book their spot in the final.
SMAT 2025 Final: When and Where to Watch
Cricket fans across the nation can tune in to witness this epic battle for the domestic T20 crown. The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy final between Haryana and Jharkhand is scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM IST.
The live streaming of the match will be exclusively available on the JioCinema app and website. Television broadcast details are to be confirmed by the broadcaster.
Key Players and Squad Details
The final will be a test of nerve, and match-winners from both sides will be crucial. Jharkhand will rely heavily on their skipper and wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, along with the experienced Virat Singh and the promising Kumar Kushagra. Their bowling will bank on the likes of Sushant Mishra and Anukul Roy.
Haryana, captained by Ankit Kumar, boasts a balanced unit. The experience of veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal could be a decisive factor on the Pune pitch. They will also look towards all-rounders like Sumit Kumar and Nishant Sindhu to deliver impactful performances.
Jharkhand Squad: Ishan Kishan (wk/c), Virat Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Robin Minz, Anukul Roy, Pankaj Kumar, Rajandeep Singh, Bal Krishna, Vikash Singh, Sushant Mishra, Saurabh Shekhar, Amit Kumar, Utkarsh Singh.
Haryana Squad: Arsh Ranga, Ankit Kumar (c), Nishant Sindhu, Ashish Siwach, Yashvardhan Dalal (wk), Samant Jakhar, Parth Vats, Sumit Kumar, Anshul Kamboj, Amit Rana, Ishant Bhardwaj, Vivek Naresh Kumar, Anuj Thakral, Arpit Rana, Bhuwan Rohilla, Mayank Shandilya, Yuvraj Yogender Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
As the domestic T20 season reaches its crescendo, all eyes will be on Pune. Whether it's Jharkhand's flawless run or Haryana's triumphant climb through a tough draw, one team is destined to etch its name on the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for the very first time.
