The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024, India’s premier domestic T20 tournament, is set to kick off on Saturday, marking its 17th edition. Featuring 38 teams divided into five groups, this year’s tournament promises thrilling cricket action with top Indian international players and emerging talents showcasing their skills. Punjab, the defending champions, will aim to retain their crown under skipper Abhishek Sharma, who was the ‘Player of the Series’ last season with 485 runs, including two centuries and three fifties.
Group stage matches will follow a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the knockouts. Tamil Nadu remains the tournament’s most successful team with three titles, while other teams look to make their mark this season.
Big Names Boost Tournament’s Appeal
The tournament will see the return of Indian stars aiming to prepare for the next IPL season. Baroda’s squad will feature Hardik and Krunal Pandya, while Bengal will include veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who continues his comeback following an ankle injury.
Gujarat boasts the presence of Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi, while Haryana’s lineup includes Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel, and Mohit Sharma. Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma, who recently shone in T20Is against South Africa, will lead Kerala and Hyderabad, respectively.
Mumbai’s squad includes prominent names like Shreyas Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane, Shardul Thakur, and Ishan Kishan. Other key players include Asian Games gold medalist Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra), Arshdeep Singh (Punjab), and Ramandeep Singh (Punjab).
Road to the Knockouts
The group stage will see competitive matches across five groups, with A to C comprising eight teams each and D to E having seven teams. Top teams will directly qualify for the quarterfinals, while others will battle in pre-quarterfinals. The groups feature powerhouse teams like Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Mumbai, and Gujarat, each eyeing the coveted trophy.
This year’s edition not only offers a platform for players to shine but also provides fans an early glimpse of talent ahead of IPL 2025. As the tournament unfolds, cricket enthusiasts can look forward to high-octane action and exceptional performances from seasoned internationals and promising young players.
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