SMAT 2025-26 Group C: Pandya’s Baroda gets another win; Abhishek Sharma produces all-round show against Pondicherry

While Hardik Pandya’s return to action gave Baroda a big boost in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, it also saw the organisers scrambling, with more than 10,000 turning up on Tuesday to watch the star India all-rounder against Punjab earlier in the week.

With a number of pitch invasions adding to security concerns, a decision was made late Wednesday night to shift the match with Gujarat from the Gymkhana Ground to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Limits were placed on the number of fans permitted entry on Thursday, but the faithful were unfazed.

Hardik found rhythm with the ball on Thursday, sending the explosive Urvil Patel packing with a catch off his own bowling and triggering Gujarat’s collapse. He gave away just 17 runs, including just three boundaries, and even picked up a maiden, a neat recovery from the 56-run shellacking Punjab handed him. 

Raj Limbani was the pick of the bowlers, as he helped Baroda bowl out Gujarat for just 73. A simple chase in just seven overs sealed Baroda’s victory.

Abhishek rules the roost

The footfall in the stands increased for Punjab’s clash against Pondicherry with Abhishek Sharma’s quickfire blinder – 36 off nine balls (4×4, 3×6) – setting the tone for what would eventually be a 193-run target.

Abhishek Sharma clicked with both bat and ball on Thursday, scoring 36 off nine and picking three wickets.
| Photo Credit:
K.V.S. Giri

The Sunrisers Hyderabad star then struck with the ball, taking three wickets to draw ear-drum-shattering roars from the crowd. He soaked in the adulation, asking fans to go louder with each scalp. Sidak Singh and Adil Ayub Tunda’s 92-run (69 balls) stand only delayed the inevitable, as Pondicherry succumbed to a 55-run defeat.

Bengal, Haryana win

Bengal’s bowlers, who have largely struggled so far, discovered their mojo. Mohammed Shami and Akash Deep took seven wickets between them to restrict Services to 165. The chase was a straightforward affair. The 93-run partnership (50 balls) between Abishek Porel (56, 29 balls, 8×4, 2×6) and Abhimanyu Easwaran (58, 37b, 7×4, 1×6) ensured the win was secured with 29 balls to spare.

Abishek Porel struck a half-century and made light work of the 165-run target.
| Photo Credit:
K.V.S. Giri

Earlier, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh went toe-to-toe in a closely fought affair. Three-wicket hauls by Anshul Kamboj and Anuj Thakral meant Himachal Pradesh could muster only 176 runs, which Haryana chased down in 18 overs, thanks to Yashvardhan Dalal’s 44-ball 76 (7×4, 4×6).

Published on Dec 04, 2025