Major Lift for KKR as Star Shines in T20 With a Stellar 98 off 56 in SMAT Semi-Final.

Ajinkya Rahane continued his good form in T20, hitting a powerful 98 to guide Mumbai to a six-wicket win over Baroda and seal a spot in the final of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in Bengaluru on Friday. Barboda’s bowlers did well to restrict the host to 158/7. Rahane’s explosive 98 off 56 balls (11 fours, 5 sixes) took Mumbai to 164/4 in just 17.2 overs during the first semifinal. The winner of the second semifinal between Delhi and Madhya Pradesh will be Maharashtra’s opponent in the final on Sunday.

For T20 cricket, Rahane proved his flexibility as he reached his half-century in just 29 balls with a huge six off pacer Hardik Pandya. Rahane was recently bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 1.5 crore in the IPL 2025 Auction.

After the loss of Prithvi Shaw for 8, Rahane, in company with captain Shreyas Iyer (46 off 30 balls, 4 fours, 3 sixes), crafted a 78-run partnership for the second wicket in just nine overs, effectively breaking the back of Baroda. The only bright spot in Baroda’s side was when Hardik Pandya, receiving applause from the crowd, stopped security from engaging three ground invaders.

Mumbai needed two more runs and Rahane was on 98. There was a wide from pacer Abhimanyu Rajput that squared the equation. The crowd was decidedly angry, boos echoing in the stadium, and Rahane was still unbeaten until he continued to hit for a big shot, going for a six, on the next ball.

Earlier, Mumbai’s bowlers were at their best throughout the innings, employing early movement on a damp day. Shahswat Rawat (33) and captain Krunal Pandya (30) did not get enough off their respective starts as they lost their wickets to poor shots. Shivalik Sharma (34 not out, 24 balls) struck some big shots, including a last-ball six, took Baroda past 150, but it was not enough to challenge Mumbai.