Harvik Desai delivered a stellar batting performance during Saurashtra‘s Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024 clash against Tamil Nadu at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. The wicketkeeper-batter lit up the match with an aggressive 24-run onslaught in a single over against the experienced left-arm spinner of Sai Kishore, who will play for  Gujarat Titans (GT) in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) , setting the tone for Saurashtra’s commanding total of 235/5. Supported by contributions from the middle order and a disciplined bowling attack, Saurashtra registered a thumping 58-run victory, leaving Tamil Nadu chasing shadows.

Harvik Desai’s domination over Sai Kishore: Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024

After the early dismissal of opener Tarang Gohel for a duck in the second over, Saurashtra appeared under pressure. However, Desai rose to the occasion, launching a counter-attack alongside Prerak Mankad. Together, the pair added a remarkable 99 runs off just 51 balls, dismantling Tamil Nadu’s bowling plans.

The highlight of Desai’s innings came in the fourth over, where he completely took apart Sai Kishore. Starting with a short delivery, Desai pulled it over midwicket for a massive six, setting the tone for the over. Kishore tried to adjust with another short ball, but Desai punished it through midwicket for a boundary. Sensing the need for a change in length, Kishore pitched it fuller, but Desai responded with another towering six over long-on. The pressure was palpable, and even a good-length delivery resulted in an outside edge that flew past the wicketkeeper for four. Desai finished the over with a blistering drive through extra cover for another four, taking 24 runs off the over.

Despite this onslaught, Sai Kishore had the last laugh when he dismissed Desai with a sharp caught-and-bowled effort in the 11th over. By then, the wicketkeeper-batter had scored a match-defining 55 off 34 balls, including four sixes and five boundaries.

Here’s the video:

6️⃣,4️⃣,6️⃣,4️⃣,4️⃣ 🔥

Harvik Desai takes the attack to Sai Kishore, gets Saurashtra off to a blistering start 👌👌#SMAT | @IDFCFIRSTBank

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/GQ2CDU9QKj pic.twitter.com/ersgl3h2rd

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 3, 2024

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Saurashtra’s batting depth and bowling excellence against Tamil Nadu

Saurashtra’s batting line-up capitalized on Desai’s explosive start, with significant contributions from Ruchit Ahir and Sammar Gajjar, who both notched half-centuries. Mankad played a vital supporting role, smashing 43 off 26 balls to keep the scoring rate high. Their collective efforts propelled the team to a formidable 235-5 on a flat surface that provided little assistance to bowlers.

The bowling unit complemented the batting display with a disciplined performance. Tamil Nadu’s chase was derailed early, and their batters struggled to match the asking rate. Chirag Jani emerged as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/31, using variations effectively to keep the batters guessing. Ankur Panwar and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja provided valuable support, picking up two wickets apiece. Tamil Nadu‘s lone bright spot was Boopathi Kumar, who fought valiantly with a 65 off 44 balls, but the lack of partnerships meant their innings ended at 177/9 in 20 overs.

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