Abhishek Sharma strikes again, but which record fell now?

WEB DESK: India’s in-form opener Abhishek Sharma delivered another blistering performance, rewriting record books with a breathtaking display in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Hyderabad. Playing for Punjab on Sunday, the 25-year-old launched a ferocious assault on Bengal’s bowlers at the Gymkhana Ground, racing to a half-century in just 12 balls, the joint-second-fastest by an Indian in men’s T20 cricket. Only Ashutosh Sharma has reached the milestone quicker, managing it in 11 balls during the 2023 edition of the same tournament.

Abhishek, who was instrumental in India’s Asia Cup triumph earlier this year, showed no signs of easing off as he progressed. His early burst set the tone for a remarkable innings that eventually blossomed into a career-best effort. Continuing to clear the ropes almost at will, he powered his way to 148 off only 52 deliveries, peppering the ground with 16 towering sixes and eight fours. The knock also added to his growing list of rapid-fire achievements, as he already shares the record for the second-fastest T20 hundred worldwide, a 28-ball blitz against Meghalaya in 2023.

His latest heroics propelled Punjab to a massive 310 for five, the second-highest total ever recorded in the tournament’s history, trailing only Baroda’s 349 for five posted last year in Indore. The innings reaffirmed Abhishek’s status as one of India’s most explosive T20 batters and further strengthened his case for a long-term role at the top of the national side’s order.

What is Mushtaq Ali Trophy?

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), India’s premier domestic T20 competition, predates the IPL by one year, having begun in 2007 as the Inter-State Twenty-20 Tournament. Introduced by the BCCI on an experimental basis, the inaugural edition concluded with Tamil Nadu edging Punjab to lift the maiden title. However, the tournament was paused for two seasons as the newly launched IPL captured nationwide attention and created a global stage for star players. While the IPL thrived, many domestic cricketers struggled for opportunities, prompting the BCCI to revive the inter-state T20 competition in 2010. It was then renamed after Syed Mushtaq Ali, one of India’s early cricket greats.

Mushtaq Ali, a flamboyant right-handed batter and left-arm spinner, made his mark long before Partition. He became the first Indian to score a Test century overseas in 1936 and played 11 Tests, scoring 612 runs. His true legacy, however, lies in domestic cricket, where he amassed over 13,000 first-class runs. He was also part of India’s first-ever Test victory in 1952, which turned out to be his final appearance.

Since its revival, SMAT has grown significantly. The competition expanded from 27 teams to 38, divided into five groups that contest a single round-robin league phase before progressing to the knockout rounds. The tournament has become a vital platform for local talent to break into the IPL and the national side.

Tamil Nadu remain the most successful team in SMAT history with three titles, including the inaugural crown. Other notable champions include Karnataka, Baroda, Gujarat, Delhi, Mumbai and Punjab, reflecting the tournament’s competitive depth. The list of season-by-season winners showcases how the event has evolved into one of India’s most important domestic cricket tournaments.