INDIA’S DOMESTIC T20 SHOWDOWN

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026: Fixtures, Format, Teams & Venues

The countdown is on! From November 14 to December 6, catch every boundary, wicket, and breakthrough as the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026 showcases India’s finest domestic T20 talent and the stars of tomorrow.

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What Is the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy?

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is India’s T20 tournament. The BCCI started this competition in 2006-07 to give local cricketers a chance to play T20 matches.

The tournament is named after Syed Mushtaq Ali, an Indian cricketer who played for India from 1934 to 1952. He was known for his batting and scoring runs quickly.

This tournament helps players get into the IPL. Many cricketers have gone from being unknown to earning crores in the IPL after good performances here.

The people who select players for Team India also watch this tournament to find new talent.

History of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy began in 2006-07. India was divided into five zones—North, South, East, West, and Central—and teams played within their zones first.

The tournament became more important after the IPL started in 2008. The BCCI realized they needed to make the tournament better. The BCCI organized teams into Elite Groups and a Plate Group, similar to how the Ranji Trophy works.

This new system made the competition fairer and ensured that strong teams played each other more often. The tournament became valuable after 2018, when the BCCI scheduled it before the IPL auction. This timing was perfect, as players could perform well in November and December, and by February, IPL teams could sign them.

This direct connection made the tournament a must-watch for IPL team owners.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026 Schedule & Season Timeline

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026 will be held from November 14 to December 6, featuring 124 Elite T20 matches alongside the Plate competition. The tournament begins with the group stage on November 14, bringing together India’s top domestic teams in a packed schedule before the knockout rounds determine the 2026 champion.

As the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026 unfolds from November 14 to December 6, fans closely follow the packed match schedule, live scores, and results. Many also refer to platforms linked with an online cricket betting exchanges to track match expectations, team form, and tournament outcomes.

The tournament concludes with the knockout stage, culminating in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026 Final on December 6, 2026, where the season’s champion will be crowned.

DateTime (IST)MatchGroup
Sat, Nov 149:00 AMChandigarh vs BarodaElite Group A
Sat, Nov 149:00 AMPunjab vs HaryanaElite Group B
Sat, Nov 149:00 AMMaharashtra vs PuducherryElite Group C
Sat, Nov 149:00 AMHyderabad vs MumbaiElite Group D
Sat, Nov 1411:00 AMGujarat vs OdishaElite Group D
Sat, Nov 1411:00 AMTripura vs AndhraElite Group C
Sat, Nov 1411:00 AMSaurashtra vs BiharElite Group B
Sat, Nov 1411:00 AMMizoram vs JharkhandElite Group A
Sat, Nov 141:30 PMRajasthan vs Uttar PradeshElite Group A
Sat, Nov 141:30 PMRailways vs Tamil NaduElite Group B
Sat, Nov 141:30 PMHimachal Pradesh vs AssamElite Group C
Sat, Nov 141:30 PMVidarbha vs GoaElite Group D
Sat, Nov 144:30 PMUttarakhand vs ChhattisgarhElite Group D
Sat, Nov 144:30 PMMadhya Pradesh vs KeralaElite Group C
Sat, Nov 144:30 PMJammu & Kashmir vs DelhiElite Group B
Sat, Nov 144:30 PMKarnataka vs BengalElite Group A
DateTime (IST)MatchGroup
Mon, Nov 16 20269:00 AMRajasthan vs JharkhandElite Group A
Mon, Nov 16 20269:00 AMRailways vs BiharElite Group B
Mon, Nov 16 20269:00 AMHimachal Pradesh vs AndhraElite Group C
Mon, Nov 16 20269:00 AMVidarbha vs OdishaElite Group D
Mon, Nov 16 202611:00 AMJammu and Kashmir vs Tamil NaduElite Group B
Mon, Nov 16 202611:00 AMUttarakhand vs GoaElite Group D
Mon, Nov 16 202611:00 AMMadhya Pradesh vs AssamElite Group C
Mon, Nov 16 202611:00 AMKarnataka vs Uttar PradeshElite Group A
Mon, Nov 16 20261:30 PMMizoram vs BarodaElite Group A
Mon, Nov 16 20261:30 PMSaurashtra vs HaryanaElite Group B
Mon, Nov 16 20261:30 PMTripura vs PuducherryElite Group C
Mon, Nov 16 20261:30 PMGujarat vs MumbaiElite Group D
Mon, Nov 16 20264:30 PMChhattisgarh vs HyderabadElite Group D
Mon, Nov 16 20264:30 PMKerala vs MaharashtraElite Group C
Mon, Nov 16 20264:30 PMDelhi vs PunjabElite Group B
Mon, Nov 16 20264:30 PMBengal vs ChandigarhElite Group A
DateTime (IST)MatchGroup
Wed, Nov 18 20269:00 AMBengal vs JharkhandElite Group A
Wed, Nov 18 20269:00 AMDelhi vs BiharElite Group B
Wed, Nov 18 20269:00 AMKerala vs AndhraElite Group C
Wed, Nov 18 20269:00 AMChhattisgarh vs OdishaElite Group D
Wed, Nov 18 202611:00 AMHyderabad vs VidarbhaElite Group D
Wed, Nov 18 202611:00 AMMaharashtra vs Himachal PradeshElite Group C
Wed, Nov 18 202611:00 AMPunjab vs RailwaysElite Group B
Wed, Nov 18 202611:00 AMChandigarh vs RajasthanElite Group A
Wed, Nov 18 20261:30 PMUttar Pradesh vs BarodaElite Group A
Wed, Nov 18 20261:30 PMTamil Nadu vs HaryanaElite Group B
Wed, Nov 18 20261:30 PMAssam vs PuducherryElite Group C
Wed, Nov 18 20261:30 PMGoa vs MumbaiElite Group D
Wed, Nov 18 20264:30 PMUttarakhand vs GujaratElite Group D
Wed, Nov 18 20264:30 PMMadhya Pradesh vs TripuraElite Group C
Wed, Nov 18 20264:30 PMJammu and Kashmir vs SaurashtraElite Group B
Wed, Nov 18 20264:30 PMKarnataka vs MizoramElite Group A
DateTime (IST)MatchGroup
Fri, Nov 20, 20269:00 AMChandigarh vs Uttar PradeshElite Group A
Fri, Nov 20, 20269:00 AMPunjab vs Tamil NaduElite Group B
Fri, Nov 20, 20269:00 AMMaharashtra vs AssamElite Group C
Fri, Nov 20, 20269:00 AMHyderabad vs GoaElite Group D
Fri, Nov 20, 202611:00 AMUttarakhand vs OdishaElite Group D
Fri, Nov 20, 202611:00 AMMadhya Pradesh vs AndhraElite Group C
Fri, Nov 20, 202611:00 AMJammu and Kashmir vs BiharElite Group B
Fri, Nov 20, 202611:00 AMKarnataka vs JharkhandElite Group A
Fri, Nov 20, 20261:30 PMBengal vs MizoramElite Group A
Fri, Nov 20, 20261:30 PMDelhi vs SaurashtraElite Group B
Fri, Nov 20, 20261:30 PMKerala vs TripuraElite Group C
Fri, Nov 20, 20261:30 PMChhattisgarh vs GujaratElite Group D
Fri, Nov 20, 20264:30 PMVidarbha vs MumbaiElite Group D
Fri, Nov 20, 20264:30 PMHimachal Pradesh vs PuducherryElite Group C
Fri, Nov 20, 20264:30 PMRailways vs HaryanaElite Group B
Fri, Nov 20, 20264:30 PMRajasthan vs BarodaElite Group A
DateTime (IST)MatchGroup
Sun, Nov 22, 20269:00 AMRajasthan vs MizoramElite Group A
Sun, Nov 22, 20269:00 AMRailways vs SaurashtraElite Group B
Sun, Nov 22, 20269:00 AMHimachal Pradesh vs TripuraElite Group C
Sun, Nov 22, 20269:00 AMVidarbha vs GujaratElite Group D
Sun, Nov 22, 202611:00 AMChhattisgarh vs MumbaiElite Group D
Sun, Nov 22, 202611:00 AMKerala vs PuducherryElite Group C
Sun, Nov 22, 202611:00 AMDelhi vs HaryanaElite Group B
Sun, Nov 22, 202611:00 AMBengal vs BarodaElite Group A
Sun, Nov 22, 20261:30 PMKarnataka vs ChandigarhElite Group A
Sun, Nov 22, 20261:30 PMJammu and Kashmir vs PunjabElite Group B
Sun, Nov 22, 20261:30 PMMadhya Pradesh vs MaharashtraElite Group C
Sun, Nov 22, 20261:30 PMUttarakhand vs HyderabadElite Group D
Sun, Nov 22, 20264:30 PMGoa vs OdishaElite Group D
Sun, Nov 22, 20264:30 PMAssam vs AndhraElite Group C
Sun, Nov 22, 20264:30 PMTamil Nadu vs BiharElite Group B
Sun, Nov 22, 20264:30 PMUttar Pradesh vs JharkhandElite Group A
DateTime (Local)MatchGroup
Tue, Nov 24, 20269:00 AMBengal vs Uttar PradeshElite Group A
Tue, Nov 24, 20269:00 AMDelhi vs Tamil NaduElite Group B
Tue, Nov 24, 20269:00 AMKerala vs AssamElite Group C
Tue, Nov 24, 20269:00 AMChhattisgarh vs GoaElite Group D
Tue, Nov 24, 202611:00 AMHyderabad vs GujaratElite Group D
Tue, Nov 24, 202611:00 AMMaharashtra vs TripuraElite Group C
Tue, Nov 24, 202611:00 AMPunjab vs SaurashtraElite Group B
Tue, Nov 24, 202611:00 AMChandigarh vs MizoramElite Group A
Tue, Nov 24, 20261:30 PMKarnataka vs RajasthanElite Group A
Tue, Nov 24, 20261:30 PMJammu and Kashmir vs RailwaysElite Group B
Tue, Nov 24, 20261:30 PMMadhya Pradesh vs Himachal PradeshElite Group C
Tue, Nov 24, 20261:30 PMUttarakhand vs VidarbhaElite Group D
Tue, Nov 24, 20264:30 PMOdisha vs MumbaiElite Group D
Tue, Nov 24, 20264:30 PMAndhra vs PuducherryElite Group C
Tue, Nov 24, 20264:30 PMBihar vs HaryanaElite Group B
Tue, Nov 24, 20264:30 PMJharkhand vs BarodaElite Group A
DateTime (IST)MatchGroup
Thu, Nov 269:00 AMKarnataka vs BarodaElite Group A
Thu, Nov 269:00 AMJammu and Kashmir vs HaryanaElite Group B
Thu, Nov 269:00 AMMadhya Pradesh vs PuducherryElite Group C
Thu, Nov 269:00 AMUttarakhand vs MumbaiElite Group D
Thu, Nov 2611:00 AMChhattisgarh vs VidarbhaElite Group D
Thu, Nov 2611:00 AMKerala vs Himachal PradeshElite Group C
Thu, Nov 2611:00 AMDelhi vs RailwaysElite Group B
Thu, Nov 2611:00 AMBengal vs RajasthanElite Group A
Thu, Nov 261:30 PMChandigarh vs JharkhandElite Group A
Thu, Nov 261:30 PMPunjab vs BiharElite Group B
Thu, Nov 261:30 PMMaharashtra vs AndhraElite Group C
Thu, Nov 261:30 PMHyderabad vs OdishaElite Group D
Thu, Nov 264:30 PMGujarat vs GoaElite Group D
Thu, Nov 264:30 PMTripura vs AssamElite Group C
Thu, Nov 264:30 PMSaurashtra vs Tamil NaduElite Group B
Thu, Nov 264:30 PMMizoram vs Uttar PradeshElite Group A

Knockout & Final
Stage

DateTime (IST)MatchStage
Mon, Nov 309:00 AMTBC vs TBCSuper League Group A
Mon, Nov 3011:00 AMTBC vs TBCSuper League Group B
Mon, Nov 301:30 PMTBC vs TBCSuper League Group A
Mon, Nov 304:30 PMTBC vs TBCSuper League Group B
DateTime (Local)MatchGroup
Wed, Dec 2, 20265:30 AMTBC vs TBCSuper League Group A
Wed, Dec 2, 20269:00 AMTBC vs TBCSuper League Group A
Wed, Dec 2, 20261:30 PMTBC vs TBCSuper League Group B
Wed, Dec 2, 20264:30 PMTBC vs TBCSuper League Group B
DateTime (Local)MatchGroup
Fri, Dec 4, 20265:30 AMTBC vs TBCSuper League Group A
Fri, Dec 4, 202611:00 AMTBC vs TBCSuper League Group B
Fri, Dec 4, 20261:30 PMTBC vs TBCSuper League Group A
Fri, Dec 4, 20264:30 PMTBC vs TBCSuper League Group B
DateTime (Local)MatchGroup
Sun, Dec 6, 20264:30 PMTBC vs TBCFinal
DateTime (Local)MatchGroup
Sat, Nov 14, 202611:00 AMNagaland vs MeghalayaPlate
Sat, Nov 14, 202611:00 AMArunachal Pradesh vs ManipurPlate
Sat, Nov 14, 20264:30 PMServices vs SikkimPlate
DateTimeMatchGroup
Mon, Nov 16 202611:00 AM (LOCAL) / 5:30 AM GMTSikkim vs Arunachal PradeshPlate
Mon, Nov 16 202611:00 AM (LOCAL) / 5:30 AM GMTNagaland vs ManipurPlate
Mon, Nov 16 20264:30 PM (LOCAL) / 11:00 AM GMTServices vs MeghalayaPlate
DateTimeMatchGroup
Wed, Nov 18 202611:00 AM (LOCAL) / 5:30 AM GMTSikkim vs NagalandPlate
Wed, Nov 18 202611:00 AM (LOCAL) / 5:30 AM GMTServices vs Arunachal PradeshPlate
Wed, Nov 18 20264:30 PM (LOCAL) / 11:00 AM GMTMeghalaya vs ManipurPlate
DateTimeMatchGroup
Fri, Nov 20 202611:00 AM (LOCAL) / 5:30 AM GMTArunachal Pradesh vs MeghalayaPlate
Fri, Nov 20 202611:00 AM (LOCAL) / 5:30 AM GMTServices vs NagalandPlate
Fri, Nov 20 20264:30 PM (LOCAL) / 11:00 AM GMTSikkim vs ManipurPlate
DateTimeMatchGroup
Sun, Nov 22 202611:00 AM (LOCAL) / 5:30 AM GMTServices vs ManipurPlate
Sun, Nov 22 202611:00 AM (LOCAL) / 5:30 AM GMTSikkim vs MeghalayaPlate
Sun, Nov 22 20264:30 PM (LOCAL) / 11:00 AM GMTArunachal Pradesh vs NagalandPlate
DateTimeMatchGroup
Tue, Nov 24 20264:30 PM (LOCAL) / 11:00 AM GMTTBC vs TBCFinal

The tournament has three match slots each day. Morning matches start at 9:00 AM or 11:00 AM, afternoon matches begin at 1:30 PM, and evening matches start at 4:30 PM.

Venues

The group stage uses eight grounds in four cities:

  • Lucknow: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium (both A and B grounds)
  • Kolkata: Eden Gardens and JU Second Campus, Salt Lake
  • Hyderabad: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium and Gymkhana Ground
  • Ahmedabad: Narendra Modi Stadium (both A and B grounds)
  • Pune: MCA Stadium Gahunje, Deccan Gymkhana, and Veerangan Academy (for Plate group)

The knockout stage will be played in Indore, with matches scheduled at Holkar Stadium and Emerald Heights International School Ground.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026
Points Table

RankTeamPWLTNRPtsNRR
1Jharkhand –––––––
2Andhra –––––––
3Madhya Pradesh –––––––
4Punjab –––––––
RankTeamPWLTNRPtsNRR
1Haryana –––––––
2Hyderabad –––––––
3Mumbai –––––––
4Rajasthan –––––––
RankTeamMatchWonLostPtsNRR
1Mumbai –––––
2Andhra –––––
3Railways–––––
4Kerala–––––
5Vidarbha–––––
6Odisha–––––
7Assam–––––
8Chhattisgarh–––––
RankTeamMatchWonLostPtsNRR
1Hyderabad –––––
2Madhya Pradesh –––––
3Maharashtra–––––
4Goa–––––
5J&K–––––
6UP–––––
7Chandigarh–––––
8Bihar–––––
RankTeamMatchWonLostPtsNRR
1Punjab –––––
2Haryana –––––
3Baroda–––––
4Gujarat–––––
5Pondicherry–––––
6Bengal–––––
7Himachal Pradesh–––––
8Services–––––
RankTeamMatchWonLostPtsNRR
1Jharkhand –––––
2Rajasthan –––––
3Delhi–––––
4Tamil Nadu–––––
5Karnataka–––––
6Saurashtra–––––
7Tripura–––––
8Uttarakhand–––––
RankTeamMatchWonLostTiedNRPts
1Sikkim––––––
2Mizoram––––––
3Nagaland––––––
4Manipur––––––
5Meghalaya––––––
6Arunachal Pradesh––––––

Past Winners List
(Past Years)

Here are the recent champions:

YearChampionRunner-UpFinal VenueNotable Performer
2026TBATBATBATBA
2025JharkhandHaryanaPuneAnukul Roy
2024MumbaiMadhya PradeshBengaluruAjinkya Rahane
2023PunjabBarodaMohaliAbhishek Sharma
2022MumbaiHimachal PradeshKolkataYash Dhull
2021Tamil NaduKarnatakaDelhiTanmay Agarwal
2020Tamil NaduBarodaAhmedabadShahrukh Khan

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Tournament Format & Structure

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026 features 38 teams divided into Elite and Plate categories. The Elite group has 32 teams split into four groups (A–D), while the Plate group has six teams. The tournament progresses from league stages to Super League and knockout rounds.

The Elite groups feature top domestic teams such as Mumbai, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Bengal. The Plate category includes six teams Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Sikkim competing for the Plate title.

In the league stage, teams play every other team in their group once. A win earns 2 points, a tie or abandoned match earns 1 point, and a loss earns 0 points. The top teams from each Elite group advance to the next stage.

The Super League stage features the qualified Elite teams, with matches played in Indore. The eight teams are divided into two groups for the next phase of the tournament.

  • Group A has: Winners of Elite Group A and Elite Group B, along with the 2nd-place teams of Elite Group C and Elite Group D.
  • Group B has: Winners of Elite Group C and Elite Group D, along with the 2nd-place teams of Elite Group A and Elite Group B.

These eight teams play against each other within their Super League groups. The top team from each Super League group goes to the final. The final is one match that decides the champion.

StageTeamsQualificationDuration
Group Stage (Elite)32 teams in 4 groupsThe top 2 from each group advance~12 days
Group Stage (Plate)6 teamsTop teams advance to the Plate knockout stage~10 days
Super League8 teams in 2 groupsThe top team from each group to the final~6 days
Final2 teamsThe winner becomes the champion1 day

Net Run Rate (NRR) is used to separate teams level on points. It is calculated by comparing a team’s scoring rate with the scoring rate of their opponents. If NRR is also equal, the team with more wins ranks higher. Further ties are decided according to tournament tie-breaking rules, including head-to-head results where applicable.

Many players who shine in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy also feature in state-level franchise leagues that run during the summer window. The Maharaja Trophy KSCA 2026 is one such tournament where SMAT and IPL regulars from Karnataka compete alongside emerging domestic talent in a high-intensity T20 format. These state leagues complement the SMAT pathway by giving players additional match exposure and helping selectors track form across multiple domestic competitions throughout the year.

Teams & Participants
In Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

The 2026 edition has 38 teams from different states and territories across India.
Here’s the complete list:

No.Elite Group TeamsNo.Elite Group Teams
1Andhra17Kerala
2Assam18Madhya Pradesh
3Baroda19Maharashtra
4Bengal20Mumbai
5Bihar21Odisha
6Chandigarh22Pondicherry
7Chhattisgarh23Punjab
8Delhi24Railways
9Goa25Rajasthan
10Gujarat26Saurashtra
11Haryana27Services
12Himachal Pradesh28Tamil Nadu
13Hyderabad29Tripura
14Jammu & Kashmir30Uttar Pradesh
15Jharkhand31Uttarakhand
16Karnataka32Vidarbha
NoPlate Group Teams:
1Arunachal Pradesh
2Manipur
3Meghalaya
4Mizoram
5Nagaland
6Sikkim

Top Player Performances & Records – Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26 has seen impressive performances in batting, bowling, and fielding. Here’s a look at the top performers so far:

Top Run-Scorers

  • Rohan Kunnummal (KER): 121 runs in 1 innings
  • Urvil Patel (GUJ): 119 runs in 1 innings
  • Kishan Lyngdoh (MEGHA): 115 runs in 1 innings

Top Wicket-Takers

  • KM Asif (KER): 5 wickets in 2 innings, Avg 10.20
  • Ashok Sharma (RAJ): 5 wickets in 2 innings, Avg 12.00
  • Md Saptulla (SIKM): 4 wickets in 1 innings, Avg 4.50

Best Batting Strike Rates

  • Urvil Patel (GUJ) – 321.62
  • Pugazhendi Akash (PONDI) – 258.06
  • Deepak Hooda (RAJ) – 211.11

Best Bowling Economy Rates

  • Harsh Dubey (VIDAR) – 3.25
  • Shardul Thakur (MUM) – 3.75
  • Saurabh Kumar (AP) – 4.00

Additional Highlights

  • Most Hundreds: Kishan Lyngdoh, Rohan Kunnummal, UM Patel
  • Most Sixes: RS Kunnummal, UM Patel, MB Murasingh
  • Most Catches: SM Jain, C Sakariya, Anmolpreet Singh
  • Most Dismissals (Wicketkeepers): Ishan Kishan, K Wadhawan, A Juyal
  • Four-Wicket Hauls: Md Saptulla (4/18), Aman Hakim Khan (4/28), Mukhtar Hussain (4/20)

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
The Launchpad for India’s Next Cricket Stars

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026 features 38 teams competing across multiple cities in India. The tournament begins on November 14, 2026, with the Elite and Plate league stages, followed by the Super League and knockout rounds. The Elite final is scheduled for December 6, 2026.

The tournament continues to be a key platform for emerging cricketers, with many IPL and India players having used the competition to showcase their talent. Fans can follow the matches through official broadcast and streaming platforms announced for the season.

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Frequently Asked Questions About
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

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