Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26: Quarterfinals and Semifinals Scrapped, Super League Stage to Decide Champion

New Delhi: The group stage of India’s premier T20 tournament, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025-26, has concluded, and the eight teams advancing to the next stage have been finalized. Unlike previous editions, this year’s tournament will not feature quarterfinals or semifinals. Instead, a Super League stage has been introduced, starting from 12 December.

Teams Advancing to Super League Stage
The eight teams progressing to the Super League stage are Mumbai, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Jharkhand. These teams have been divided into two groups, with each team playing one match against every other team in its group, giving them three matches each. The top team from each group will clash in the final to decide the champion.

Super League Groups

• Group A: Mumbai, Hyderabad, Haryana, Rajasthan
• Group B: Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand

Super League Schedule (All Matches in Pune)

12 December 2025

• Andhra Pradesh vs Madhya Pradesh – D Y Patil Academy, 9:00 AM
• Haryana vs Rajasthan – MCA Cricket Stadium, 11:00 AM
• Punjab vs Jharkhand – D Y Patil Academy, 1:30 PM
• Mumbai vs Hyderabad – MCA Cricket Stadium, 4:30 PM

14 December 2025

• Mumbai vs Haryana – D Y Patil Academy, 9:00 AM
• Andhra Pradesh vs Punjab – MCA Cricket Stadium, 11:00 AM
• Hyderabad vs Rajasthan – D Y Patil Academy, 1:30 PM
• Madhya Pradesh vs Jharkhand – MCA Cricket Stadium, 4:30 PM

16 December 2025

• Madhya Pradesh vs Punjab – D Y Patil Academy, 9:00 AM
• Mumbai vs Rajasthan – MCA Cricket Stadium, 11:00 AM
• Andhra Pradesh vs Jharkhand – D Y Patil Academy, 1:30 PM
• Hyderabad vs Haryana – MCA Cricket Stadium, 4:30 PM

18 December 2025

• Final: Winner of Group A vs Winner of Group B – Pune

With this revised format, the Super League stage promises intense competition and gives every team multiple opportunities to fight for the title before the final showdown at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.