SMAT 2025: Vaibhav Suryavanshi becomes youngest centurion in tournament’s history, Hardik Pandya fails on comeback

Vaibhav Suryavanshi broke Vijay Zol’s record of scoring a century in SMAT at the age of 18.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the 14-year-old wonder with the bat, created history as he became the youngest batter to score a century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 (SMAT) tournament. The swashbuckling southpaw attained the landmark in Bihar’s ongoing encounter against Maharashtra. 

Vaibhav Suryavanshi has exhibited exceptional form in recent times. The left-handed batter was one of the most prolific performers for the Indian side in the Asia Cup Emerging Stars 2025. He also maintained his purple patch in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026, lighting up the stage with a forceful smash.

After winning the toss and deciding to bowl first, Maharashtra acquired the valuable breakthrough of Bipin Saurabh early in the game. However, Vaibhav Suryavanshi stepped up with the bat, guaranteeing a defendable total for Bihar.

The young batter had three successive low scores before this game. He hammered seven boundaries and as many sixes for his blistering 61-ball 108*, pushing Bihar to 176 for three in 20 overs.

Suryavanshi broke the record held by Vijay Zol, who achieved the feat at the age of 18 years and 118 days, to become the youngest batter to make a century in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.  

Youngest to score SMAT T20 Hundred:

14 Years 250 Days – Vaibhav Suryavanshi18 Years 118 Days – Vijay Zol18 Years 135 Days – Ayush Mhatre18 Years 137 Days – Ayush Mhatre19 Years 25 Days – Shaik Rasheed

Hardik Pandya fails on his cricketing comeback in SMAT

Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya, the ace all-rounder, returned to action for Baroda in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 trophy 2025. Pandya had suffered a hamstring injury in the Asia Cup 2025 and had missed the final of the tournament.

He underwent recovery and rehab at the Center of Excellence (CoE) after the injury and made his comeback in SMAT for Baroda against Punjab.

Hardik opened the bowling in the ongoing match against Punjab, bowling four overs for 52 runs and one wicket. Punjab scored 222/8 in 20 overs, with Abhishek Sharma and Anmolpreet Singh hitting fifty.  

It was hardly a fairytale comeback for the all-rounder, who is vying for a spot in the Indian team ahead of the T20I series against South Africa.

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