After all that the country had to go through, owing to the pandemic and lockdown, the domestic season in India for the year 2021-22 is underway with the highly anticipated and enthralling, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Given the players are fresh from a recently concluded IPL 2020, lack of match practice or adaptability to the format isn’t an issue but the players would consider it an extension of the hugely successful tournament contested in the UAE. Players will be raring to step on the field yet again and perform for their respective teams as a mini-auction for IPL 2021 is just a month away.
The history of the tournament has seen numerous bright performers with the bat, who have left their indelible mark behind and also earned a place for themselves in the illustrious Indian limited-overs squad. Post selection, a few have managed to cement their place while others have failed to do it and had to return to the domestic circuit for securing their spot once again. The batting masterclass that we will be talking about in the article, were of the highest stature and capable of destroying the best of bowling attacks, probably the most important reason why the players could make the cut and edge past their competitors. In the below piece, we look at 5 highest individual scores in the history of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy:
1. Shreyas Iyer – 147
India’s current no.4 in the limited-overs formats and vital cog in the Mumbai line-up, Iyer tops the list for the highest individual score, having chronicled a gigantic 147 against Sikkim in a Group C encounter at Indore in 2019.
Mumbai who batted first posted a mammoth 258-4 in their 20 overs on the back of a splendid knock of 147 off just 55 balls by Iyer and 63 off 33 balls by Yadav. In reply, a depleted Sikkim team could only manage 104-7, handing their opposition a gargantuan victory by 154 runs in a crucial encounter.
2. Puneet Bisht – 146
This Meghalaya batsman recently made the list after scoring this whirlwind knock against Mizoram as a part of the plate fixtures in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Meghalaya while batting first posted a mammoth total of 230-6 on the board, owing to a brilliant innings of 146 off 51 balls by Bisht, who batted at a breathtaking strike rate of 286.27.
In reply, Mizoram could only manage 100-9 on the board, losing the contest by a massive margin of 130 runs. Aditya Singhania was the pick of the bowler for Meghalaya, who ended the game with excellent figures of 4-15.
3. Mohammed Azharuddeen – 137
Named after his idol, the great Indian batsman, Mohammad Azharuddin, Azharuddeen hogged the limelight during an Elite Group E fixture against Mumbai in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. The home team, Mumbai, who batted first, managed a competitive total of 196-7 on the board in their 20 overs on the back of an aggressive 42 by Tare.
The visitors, in response, turned the heat on the opposition, chasing the total down in 15.5 overs and keeping 8 wickets in hand. Azharuddeen was indeed the showstopper that night with an impressive knock of 137 off 54 balls, single-handedly helping his side cross the line against a tough Mumbai team.
4. Manish Pandey – 129
Considered unlucky for missing out on so many chances of featuring in the Indian limited-overs side, Pandey has been a consistent performer for his state side Karnataka. This fine display of batting came during a group A game against Services at Vizianagaram in 2019.
Batting first, Karnataka posted a huge 250-3 on the board, courtesy an innings of 129 off 54 balls by Pandey and a valiant 75 off 43 balls by Padikkal. By posting such a massive total, Karnataka had already won half the battle and now it was up to their experienced bowlers to deal a final blow.
As anticipated, they did it with aplomb restricting the Services team to 170-7 and winning the game comprehensively by 80 runs.
5. Wriddhiman Saha – 129
India’s first choice keeper when operating on the slow and dry pitches conducive for spinners, Saha given his experience playing international cricket, has led from the front for his state side Bengal. This wonderful knock was mustered during a group D game against Arunachal Pradesh at Cuttack in 2019.
Bengal while batting first posted an enormous 235-6 on the board owing to a brilliant innings of 129 off 62 balls by Saha and a quick-fire 49 off 18 balls by Vivek Singh. The target as expected proved too significant in front of the Bengal might as the side won the contest by a sweeping margin of 107 runs.
