Best playing XI of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 ft. Ishan Kishan, Anukul Roy

The 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) was unlike any of the previous editions in terms of impact, given the happenings at the recent IPL 2026 auction. With the demand for uncapped young Indian players increasing by the year, several star performers in the tournament were richly rewarded with lucrative contracts.

The 2025-26 SMAT also had two first-time finalists, Jharkhand and Haryana, battling for bragging rights. However, the summit clash turned out to be a one-sided affair with Jharkhan coming out on top and capturing their maiden SMAT title.

With the Indian domestic circuit growing in stature and pedigree, several youngsters went toe-to-toe with players who have represented the national side. However, a select few stood out in terms of numbers and their impact on team success.

On that note, let us pick the best playing XI of the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Near-misses: Prashant Veer, Ajinkya Rahane, Kunal Chandela, Sarfaraz Khan, Ayush Mhatre, Anshul Kamboj, Yash Thakur

Openers: Ishan Kishan & Ankit Kumar

Discarded Team India wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan made an emphatic statement to the national selectors with his performances in the tournament. The southpaw finished as the leading run-scorer with 517 runs at an average of 57.44 and a strike rate of over 197 in 10 matches.

Overall numbers aside, Kishan also shone when the lights were the brightest, scoring a brilliant match-winning 49-ball 101 in the final against Haryana. The left-hander was one of only two players to score multiple centuries in the competition.

Kishan's opening partner will be Haryana skipper Ankit Kumar, who led his side to the final admirably with the bat. Despite missing out in the finale, the right-hander struck gold in the lead-up to the summit clash, scoring three consecutive half-centuries.

The 28-year-old finished as the tournament's second leading run-scorer with 448 runs at an average of almost 45 and a strike rate of 172.30 in 11 outings.

Middle Order: Kumar Kushagra, Salil Arora, Yashvardhan Dalal

Jharkhand's title-winning side had several heroes throughout the 2025-26 SMAT with the bat and ball. Yet, very few made a consistent impact like wicketkeeper batter Kumar Kushargra, who batted at the crucial No.3 position.

The 21-year-old matched Kishan shot-for-shot in the final against Haryana, scoring a sensational 38-ball 81. Kushagra finished the competition as the third leading scorer with 422 runs at an average of over 60 and a strike rate of 161.68 in 10 matches.

Maintaining consistency in the middle-order is no easy feat, yet Punjab's Salil Arora achieved it throughout the tournament. Despite batting at No.5 predominantly, the 23-year-old finished as the seventh leading run-scorer with 358 runs at an extraordinary average of 71.60 and a strike rate of 198.88 in eight games.

Haryana's Yashvardhan Dalal was a model of consistency in the middle order, playing a vital role in the side's runners-up finish. The right-hander was the fourth-highest run-getter with 398 runs at an average of almost 50 and a strike rate of 148.50 in 11 matches.

Dalal fought valiantly in the final against Jharkhand with a magnificent 22-ball 53 before the asking rate got the better of him.

All-rounders: Anukul Roy & Tanay Thyagarajan

Jharkhand all-rounder Anukul Roy was inarguably the most valuable player of the 2025-26 SMAT. His left-arm spin yielded 18 wickets at an average of 15.38 and an economy of 7.41 in 11 games.

In addition, Roy also scored 303 runs at an average of over 60 and a strike rate of 160.31, including a 20-ball 40* in the final.

Another left-arm spinning all-rounder, Tanay Thyagarajan, worked wonders for his side, Hyderabad, throughout the competition. The 30-year-old led from the front, picking up 16 wickets at an average of 18 and an economy of 7.20.

Tanay also added 50 runs with the willow at an average of 25 and a strike rate of 131.57 in 10 games.

Bowlers: Chama Milind, Shivam Shukla, Ashok Sharma, Sushant Mishra

Hyderabad skipper Chama Milind impressed with his left-arm seamers throughout the tournament, finishing with 17 wickets at an average of 15.29 and an economy of 7.50. While his batting was not called upon much, he scored a brilliant 20-ball 35* in his second game of the competition.

Madhya Pradesh's Shivam Shukla was undoubtedly the best wrist spinner in the tournament, finishing with 17 wickets at an average of 14.58 and an economy of 7.25. The leggie was the sixth leading wicket-taker of the 2025-26 SMAT.

The top two wicket-takers of the competition and the pace duo of Sushant Mishra and Ashok Sharma round off the playing XI. The former played a pivotal role in Jharkhand winning their maiden SMAT title, finishing with 22 wickets at an average of 17.18 in 11 games.

On the other hand, Ashok Sharma led Rajasthan's attack single-handedly with 22 scalps at an average of 15.63 in 10 outings.

Best playing 11 of 2025-26 SMAT

Ishan Kishan (c & wk), Ankit Kumar, Kumar Kushagra, Salil Arora, Yashvardhan Dalal, Anukul Roy, Tanay Thyagarajan, Chama Milind, Shivam Shukla, Ashok Sharma, Sushant Mishra