[Watch] Atharva Ankolekar screams in delight after smashing the winning 6 as Mumbai clinch SMAT 2024-25 title with 5-wicket win over MP

Mumbai batter Atharva Ankolekar erupted in celebration after hitting the winning six in the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) final against Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, December 15. The summit clash took place at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

On the fifth ball of the 18th over, Tripuresh Singh bowled a full delivery in the slot, which Ankolekar capitalized on, standing tall and smashing it over the bowler's head for a maximum. With that hit, Mumbai won the game by five wickets with 13 balls to spare, clinching the 2024-25 SMAT title.

Here’s a video of the winning moment:

Chasing 175, Mumbai had a shaky start, losing Prithvi Shaw (10) and captain Shreyas Iyer (16) cheaply. Ajinkya Rahane and Suryakumar Yadav then stabilized the innings, adding 52 runs off 41 balls for the third wicket before the former was dismissed for 37 off 30 balls, including four boundaries.

Shivam Dube fell early for nine, and Suryakumar missed out on a fifty, making 48 off 35 balls with four boundaries and three sixes. At this point, Mumbai were at 129/5 after 14.4 overs.

Mumbai needed 45 runs from the last five overs, with Atharva Ankolekar and Suryansh Shedge at the crease. The duo went on the attack, adding an unbeaten 51 off just 19 balls. Ankolekar finished on 16* off 6 balls, while Shedge ended on 36* off 15 balls, hitting three boundaries and three sixes as Mumbai secured their second SMAT title with an amazing victory.

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Rajat Patidar's unbeaten knock of 81 off 40 balls goes in vain

After being asked to bat first, Madhya Pradesh got off to a poor start in the first innings, losing openers Arpit Gaud (3) and Harsh Gawli (2) cheaply, both dismissed by Shardul Thakur. Subhranshu Senapati (23), Harpreet Singh Bhatia (15), Venkatesh Iyer (17), and Rahul Batham (19) made starts but failed to convert them into big innings.

However, at the other end, MP skipper Rajat Patidar displayed his class, reaching his half century off just 28 balls. The 31-year-old was exceptional, remaining unbeaten on 81 off 40 balls, hitting six fours and as many sixes, guiding MP to 174/8 in their 20 overs.