The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024 witnessed a sensational Group C clash between Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Jharkhand at Mumbai’s iconic Wankhede Stadium. The star of the show was none other than UP skipper Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whose stunning hat-trick turned the match in his team’s favor.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s Hat-Trick: A masterclass in bowling
In a gripping moment during the 17th over of Jharkhand’s innings, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the seasoned right-arm medium-fast bowler, etched his name into the record books with a breathtaking hat-trick.
The first wicket came as Robin Minz, batting on 11, attempted to hit the ball for a boundary but ended up being caught by Priyam Garg. The scoreboard read 116 when Minz departed. On the very next ball, Bal Krishna nicked an angled delivery while attempting a leg-side shot, gifting an easy catch to wicketkeeper Aryan Juyal and departing for a golden duck.
The hat-trick ball was a beauty, an inswinging delivery that left Vivekanand Tiwari completely bamboozled as it crashed into the stumps, sending the bails flying. The crowd erupted in applause as Kumar celebrated his remarkable feat.
Here is the video:
1⃣6⃣.1⃣ – Wicket ✅
1⃣6⃣.2⃣ – Wicket ✅
1⃣6⃣.3⃣ – Wicket ✅Watch Bhuvneshwar’s terrific hat-trick that helped Uttar Pradesh beat Jharkhand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai 👌👌#SMAT | @IDFCFIRSTBank
Scorecard ▶️ pic.twitter.com/p6V6hqkqh1
— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 5, 2024
Bhuvneshwar’s match-turning spell earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award. His precision and ability to deliver under pressure showcased why he remains one of the most reliable bowlers.
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Jharkhand’s spirited chase falls short
Jharkhand won the toss and elected to bowl first, aiming to exploit the conditions. Uttar Pradesh, despite losing wickets at regular intervals, managed to post a respectable 160/8 in their allotted 20 overs. Contributions from the middle order ensured the team reached a competitive total. Jharkhand’s Krishna was the standout bowler, claiming three crucial wickets to keep the Uttar Pradesh batters in check.
Chasing 161 for victory, Jharkhand’s innings revolved around a brilliant knock by Anukul Roy, who smashed 91 runs in a valiant effort. However, his heroics weren’t enough, as Jharkhand faltered under pressure and were bowled out for 150 in 19.5 overs and loss the match by 10 runs.
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