Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019-20: Preview – November 25

Four matches of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2019-20, two each from Super League Group A and Group B, will be played on November 25 across venues in Surat.

Super League Group B: Karnataka vs Mumbai

This is the big one. Karnataka are the in-form side, having won all their three matches  so far in the Super League. Mumbai, meanwhile, have lost to Tamil Nadu and beaten Assam in their two encounters so far. The momentum is with Karnataka, and in crunch clashes, that counts.  

Key players:Devdutt Padikkal (Karnataka), Aditya Tare (Mumbai)

Predicted winner:Karnataka

Super League Group A: Baroda vs Haryana

Baroda are in prime position to make it to the semi-finals. They’re top of Group A, having won two of their three matches so far, and if they can beat Haryana, their closest competition at second place, they will surely progress. That’ll be tricky though – Baroda head in on the back of a loss to Maharashtra, while Haryana comfortably beat Delhi by 30 runs in their last encounter.

Key players:Harshal Patel (Haryana), Aditya Waghmode (Baroda)

Predicted winner:Baroda

Super League Group B: Tamil Nadu vs Punjab

With Tamil Nadu off to a flying start in the group, this clash represents a big chance for both teams to eliminate the other from the race. Even victory may not suffice for them to progress, but it’s all they can do now to keep pace. Both teams have won one and drawn one of their two matches so far.

Key players:R Sai Kishore (Tamil Nadu), Mandeep Singh (Punjab)

Predicted winner:Tamil Nadu

Super League Group A:Rajasthan vs Maharashtra

Maharashtra will need to beat Rajasthan – the bottom-placed side – to keep pace with Baroda at the top of the table. And preferably with a good net run-rate. Rajasthan have lost both their matches so far, but Maharashtra importantly beat Baroda in one of their two matches. The race is becoming interesting.

Key players:Rajesh Bishnoi (Rajasthan), Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra)

Predicted winner:Maharashtra