3 forgotten India players who can make a comeback through SMAT performances

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026-27, now in its 19th edition, gets underway on November 14 with 38 teams competing across Elite and Plate divisions. Defending champions Jharkhand will be looking to retain the title, but the tournament also serves as a stage for players on the fringes of the national setup. Several cricketers who were once regulars in India's white-ball squads find themselves outside the selection picture heading into this edition. Three such names stand out as ones to watch closely over the coming weeks.

Here are three forgotten India players who can make a comeback through SMAT performances:

1. Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh Iyer last featured in an India squad back in June 2022, when he was picked for a T20I series. His international absence since then has largely been linked to Hardik Pandya's return to full fitness, which squeezed out the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder from the national picture. Iyer's recent red-ball form has been solid, with 367 runs across 6 games for Madhya Pradesh in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy. In IPL 2026, after being released by Kolkata Knight Riders and signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru on December 16, 2025, he averaged 52.25 across 7 matches.

Madhya Pradesh open their SMAT 2026-27 campaign against Kerala on November 14 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Tira. Earlier in his career, Iyer had finished as Madhya Pradesh's top scorer in the 2021-22 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy with 155 runs at an average of 51.66, and he struck a maiden IPL century of 104 off 51 balls against Mumbai Indians on April 16, 2023.