Hardik Pandya in SMAT 2024 (Source:@CricCrazyJohns/X.com)
The 2024 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024 has turned out to be quite a fascinating tournament with many international superstars taking centrestage. There were plenty of breakthrough performances on the way which grabbed plenty of eyeballs from the cricketing world and we are now left with just four teams - Baroda, Mumbai, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh.
The first semifinal is between Mumbai and Baroda and these are two teams filled with superstars. Mumbai especially are a team that is full of experienced international superstars and it promises to be a quality game between two dominant sides in the tournament. So, here are the three players to watch out in the first semifinal of SMAT 2024.
Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya is one of the finest white-ball cricketers in India currently and the man has the ability to win matches for his side both with the bat and ball. He has done that in the current season of SMAT as he has smashed 241 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 199.17 and average of 60.25.
The all-rounder has helped Baroda chased down some big targets in the tournament and would be a key player against a strong and experienced team like Mumbai. He has also picked five wickets in four innings he has bowled and has always been a big-match player which makes him a player to watch out in a big game like semifinal.
Hardik Pandya's Record In SMAT 2024
| Innings | Runs | Batting Average | Strike Rate | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 241 | 60.25 | 199.17 | 5 |
Ajinkya Rahane
Ajinkya Rahane is 36-year-old, but he has been in the form of his life in SMAT 2024. The experienced right-handed batter has taken his T20 game to a next level and has hit four fifties at a rate that will make any T20 specialist proud.
Overall, Ajinkya Rahane has scored 334 runs in six innings at a strike-rate of 167.84 and at a average of 55.67. His scores in the last two games are 84 and 95, and it won't be a surprise if he gets going once again. Also, Rahane has the tendency of stepping up in pressure games, and this is another opportunity for the Mumbai veteran to deliver.
Ajinkya Rahane's Record In SMAT 2024
| Innings | Runs | Average | Strike-Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 334 | 55.67 | 167.84 |
Atit Sheth
The right-arm pacer has been the go-to bowler for Baroda skipper Krunal Pandya in this season. He has bowled well both with the new ball and at the death and has apart from the Tamil Nadu game where he was expensive and did not bag any wicket, he has bowled well in all matches.
He has picked 13 wickets in eight matches and was one of the stars of the show in the Quarter-final with a three-wicket haul. The strike-rate is just 12 which shows his consistency and if Baroda want to get the better of Mumbai, they need Atit Sheth to fire.
Atit Sheth's Record In SMAT 2024
| Innings | Wickets | Economy | Average | Strike-Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 13 | 10.35 | 20.69 | 12 |
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