The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune witnessed a historic run-fest today as Jharkhand lifted their first-ever Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. In a dominant display of power-hitting, Jharkhand posted a mammoth 263/3, marking the fourth-highest team score in the tournament’s history. Chasing a near-impossible target, Haryana fought bravely but eventually crumbled under the pressure of the scoreboard, handing Jharkhand a comprehensive 69-run victory to seal the championship.

Jharkhand’s innings was a spectacle of relentless aggression from start to finish. Captain Ishan Kishan led from the front, dismantling the attack with a sensational 100 that set the tone for the final. He found a perfect partner in Kumar Kushagra, whose explosive knock of 81 ensured the momentum never shifted. Just as Haryana hoped for some relief at the death, Anukul Roy played a blistering cameo, smashing 40 runs off just 20 balls to propel the team to 263. The bowlers then backed up this colossal effort brilliantly. Despite the flat pitch, they bowled with discipline and precision, taking wickets at regular intervals to bowl out the opposition and secure the trophy.

Haryana had a forgettable outing with the ball, with their bowlers struggling to contain the flow of runs in the first innings. Facing a daunting target, their chase began poorly, but the middle order refused to go down without a fight. Yashvardhan Dalal spearheaded the counter-attack with his spirited exploits, punishing the loose deliveries to keep hope alive. He was ably supported by Nishant Sindhu and Samant Devender Jakhar, and for a brief phase, their partnership made it a balanced game. However, the target proved too steep. Once this trio departed, the resistance ended abruptly. The lower order could not salvage the innings, and Haryana collapsed to 193 all out in 18.3 overs.