SMAT 2025: Yashasvi Jaiswal strengthens case as T20I opener after century at 200-plus strike-rate for Mumbai

Star batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has been enjoying some great form of late in white-ball cricket. Fresh from his maiden One-Day International hundred, which came against South Africa, Jaiswal has now also scored his first-ever T20 hundred for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Batting in a run-chase against Haryana, Mumbai were able to get past the mammoth 235-run target, guided by the brilliance of Jaiswal.

The knock comes at a time when the batter has been ignored from India's T20I set-up for the opener's role, while Shubman Gill has been finding it difficult to get going. As a result, the scintillating century by the left-handed batter is forcing the selectors to turn their heads towards him as a potential option in case they are looking for a replacement.

The match had begun with Haryana powering themselves to 234-3 at the end of 20 overs, riding on the mammoth 110-run stand between skipper Ankit Kumar (89 off 42) and Nishant Sandhu (63* off 38) at the DY Patil Academy in Ambi. For Mumbai, Sairaj Patil was the only bowler to show some success for his 2-44 in four overs, as Shardul Thakur & Co. looked mostly clueless in the first innings.

However, Jaiswal and senior opener Ajinkya Rahane came determined to the crease, and began positively. The 50-run stand was up in no time, but soon after Rahane fell prey to Ishant Bharadwaj for a solid 21 off 10 balls. That did not dent the confidence of the Bhadohi-born, as the youngster continued to find boundaries for fun, as he was joined by Sarfaraz Khan.

Sarfaraz played the perfect second fiddle, as boundaries started flowing from both ends. However, the No. 3 batter departed after a solid 64 off just 25. Jaiswal, unbothered, carried the onslaught to reach a magnificent century off his 48th delivery. The attacking batter got out a couple of balls later, but ensured that win remained just a formality for the Mumbaikars.

Finishing touches were added by Sairaj (8* off 3) and Atharva Ankolekar (10* off 2) as the Shardul Thakur-led side clinched an easy victory with four wickets and 15 balls to spare. Jaiswal, without any surprises, was named the Player of the Match.