The 2025-26 season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) will be remembered not just for Jharkhand’s maiden title or Ishan Kishan’s brilliance, but for the diverse and challenging conditions the teams faced. From the swing friendly mornings in Kolkata to the red soil bounce of Pune, this season was a true test of adaptability.
With 38 teams competing in a relentless schedule, the BCCI adopted a “Cluster Caravan” format. The teams were split into five groups, with each group based in a specific city to minimize travel and maximize recovery time.
This page serves as your archive and guide to the battlegrounds of the 2025-26 season, detailing the specific stadiums, pitch behaviors, and the dramatic last minute venue shift that defined the knockout stages.
Host Cities & Stadiums: (2025-26)
Below is the complete list of cities and grounds that hosted the tournament this season.
| Hub City | Primary Stadium | Secondary Ground | Group Hosted |
| Lucknow | Ekana Stadium (Main) | Ekana Stadium (Ground B) | Elite Group A |
| Kolkata | Eden Gardens | JU Second Campus | Elite Group B |
| Hyderabad | Rajiv Gandhi Intl Stadium | Gymkhana Ground | Elite Group C |
| Ahmedabad | Narendra Modi Stadium A | Narendra Modi Stadium B | Elite Group D |
| Pune | MCA Stadium, Gahunje | DY Patil Academy, Ambi | Knockouts & Plate |
The Knockout Hub:
In a dramatic turn of events just days before the Super League stage, the BCCI shifted the entire knockout leg from Indore to Pune due to logistical challenges. This decision turned Pune into the epicenter of Indian T20 cricket for the final week of the tournament.
1. Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium, Gahunje
- Role: Hosted the Super League marquee matches and the Grand Final.
- The Pitch: Known for its red soil surface, the MCA Stadium offered tremendous bounce and carry. This surface played a massive role in the final, allowing Jharkhand batters to hit through the line and post a record breaking total of 262.
- Key Moment: This stadium witnessed the highest ever total in a T20 final (262/3 by Jharkhand), proving it to be a batter’s paradise under lights.
2. D.Y. Patil Cricket Academy, Ambi
- Role: Hosted simultaneous Super League fixtures to ensure fair scheduling.
- Conditions: Located on the outskirts of Pune, this ground is open and breezy. The pitch here was slightly slower than the MCA Stadium, assisting spinners like Nishant Sindhu (Haryana) during the day games.
Group Stage Hubs:
The league stage (November 26 – December 8, 2025) was played across four major cities for the Elite Groups and a separate hub for the Plate Group.
Elite Group A Hub: Lucknow
Host Association: Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA)
Teams Hosted: Mumbai, Vidarbha, Andhra, Kerala, Railways, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Odisha.
- Ekana Cricket Stadium (Main Ground):
- Character: A balanced surface that has moved away from its reputation as a slow turner. The black soil pitches used this season offered grip for spinners but allowed fluent scoring in the powerplay.
- Highlight: Mumbai, the defending champions (at the start of the season), utilized the large boundaries here to strangle opponents with their spin attack.
- Ekana Stadium (Ground B):
- Character: Used for non televised matches. The surface was flatter, often resulting in high scoring chases.
Elite Group B Hub: Kolkata
Host Association: Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB)
Teams Hosted: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, J&K, Hyderabad, Maharashtra, Goa, Bihar.
- Eden Gardens:
- Character: The historic venue offered its traditional “pacy and bouncy” tracks. The proximity to the Hooghly River meant the ball swung significantly in the early morning games (9:00 AM starts), testing the top order batters.
- Highlight: Hyderabad’s aggressive batting lineup thrived here, using the quick outfield to their advantage.
- Jadavpur University (JU) Second Campus, Salt Lake:
- Character: A scenic ground known for its lush outfield. The pitch here was a stark contrast to Eden Gardens, playing low and slow, which brought the medium pacers into the game.
Elite Group C Hub: Hyderabad
Host Association: Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA)
Teams Hosted: Baroda, Bengal, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Services, Pondicherry.
- Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium (Uppal):
- Character: A batting beauty. The flat deck allowed for consistent scores of 180+. It was here that Haryana laid the foundation for their run to the final, winning crucial high scoring encounters.
- Highlight: The night matches saw heavy dew, making the toss a crucial factor. Captains overwhelmingly chose to chase.
- Gymkhana Ground, Secunderabad:
- Character: A heritage ground with a smaller playing area. Matches here were six hitting fests. The close proximity of the stands created an electric atmosphere for the players.
Elite Group D Hub: Ahmedabad
Host Association: Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA)
Teams Hosted: Delhi, Saurashtra, Rajasthan, Jharkhand (Champions), Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Tripura.
- Narendra Modi Stadium (Ground A):
- Character: The world’s largest cricket stadium hosted the toughest group of the season (Group of Death). The red soil pitches offered searing pace and bounce, which perfectly suited Ishan Kishan’s aggressive pull shots.
- Highlight: Jharkhand went unbeaten in this leg, with the true bounce of Ahmedabad aiding their power hitters.
- Narendra Modi Stadium (Ground B):
- Character: A secondary facility within the complex. It mirrored the characteristics of the main ground but with a more open atmosphere, affecting the ball’s swing in the air.
Plate Group Hub: Pune
Host Association: Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA)
Teams Hosted: Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
While the Elite teams were spread out, the Plate teams played their entire league in Pune (before the Elite teams arrived there for the knockouts).
- Deccan Gymkhana Ground: A historic club ground with a small outfield. It witnessed several high scoring thrillers as the North East teams showcased their improved batting skills.
- Veerangan Cricket Academy: A newer facility that offers sporting tracks, giving the developing teams a fair contest between bat and ball.
FAQs:
Why was the final moved from Indore to Pune?
The BCCI shifted the knockout stages from Indore to Pune due to unforeseen logistical issues and ground availability constraints at the Holkar Stadium. The decision was made to ensure the best possible playing conditions for the Super League.
Did the Narendra Modi Stadium host the final?
No. While Ahmedabad hosted the Group D matches (featuring the eventual champions Jharkhand), the final was played at the MCA Stadium in Pune.
Is entry free for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches?
Yes, for the majority of the group stage matches across all cities, entry was free for the public. For the final in Pune, the MCA opened specific stands for free entry to encourage fan support.
Which venue saw the highest score of the season?
The MCA Stadium in Pune witnessed the highest score of the season (and the highest ever in a T20 final) when Jharkhand smashed 262/3 against Haryana in the summit clash.
What is the difference between Red Soil and Black Soil pitches?
Red soil pitches (like in Pune and Mumbai) offer more bounce and pace, which generally favors fast bowlers and stroke making batters. Black soil pitches (like in Lucknow or Kanpur) tend to bind together, playing slower and lower, which brings spinners into the game.
Where were the Plate Group matches played?
The entire Plate Group league stage was hosted in Pune at the Deccan Gymkhana and Veerangan Cricket Academy grounds.