Yashasvi Jaiswal Set to Boost Mumbai's Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Campaign After Stellar ODI Performance
Yashasvi Jaiswal Joins Mumbai for SMAT
New Delhi: Following his impressive century in the final ODI against South Africa held in Visakhapatnam, Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to join the Mumbai team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT).
According to a report from Cricbuzz, a senior official from the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has confirmed that Jaiswal is available for the SMAT tournament. "He has made himself available for the SMAT campaign," the official stated on Sunday.
Currently, the defending champions Mumbai, led by captain Shardul Thakur, are in Lucknow and are leading Elite Group A with five victories out of six matches. Their last league match is scheduled for December 8 against Odisha.
The top two teams from each of the four Elite Groups will advance to the Super League, which will take place in Pune on December 12, 14, and 16, culminating in the championship final on December 18.
Jaiswal, who last played in the 2023–24 quarter-finals, missed the previous season due to international commitments. In his 28 appearances in the tournament, the 23-year-old has scored 648 runs in 26 innings, with an average of 27 and a strike rate of 136.42, including three half-centuries.
The Indian national selection committee has rested Jaiswal for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa, announcing a 15-member squad led by Suryakumar Yadav on December 3.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma's participation in the SMAT remains uncertain. Although there are indications of his potential involvement, the Mumbai Cricket Association has not yet received any confirmation. Earlier reports suggested that Rohit might participate in the T20 competition, but as of Sunday morning, his status was still unverified.
Jaiswal's addition to Mumbai's squad is expected to enhance the team's prospects, especially as he enters the tournament following an unbeaten ODI century. He scored a remarkable 116* off 121 balls, aiding India in successfully chasing a target of 271 runs and securing the three-match series 2-1.