The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly shifted the knockout matches of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy from Indore to Pune due to logistical reasons. According to The Times of India, the transition may become more challenging as ongoing disruptions in domestic flight services may impact travel plans.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockout matches, which were originally scheduled for Indore from December 12 to 18, will now be played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje and Dr. DY Patil Academy Ground in Ambi. Due to a global conference, the venue had to be changed due to shortage of hotel rooms in Indore.
MPCA had already informed BCCI about its inability to host the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockouts
According to a Times of India report, the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association had informed the BCCI about two weeks ago that they would be unable to host the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockouts.
MPCA CEO Rohit Pandit said there will be a major global doctors’ conference in Indore from December 9 to 12, due to which there will be a shortage of available hotel rooms and it will be impossible to organize the matches as planned.
“We had informed the BCCI about a fortnight ago that we will not be able to organize the SMAT knockouts because of the lack of availability of hotel rooms here due to some global conference (of doctors) in Indore from December 9-12,” Rohit Pandit told TOI from Indore on Friday.
BCCI shifts Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockouts to Pune
A BCCI official confirmed that the BCCI shifted the knockout to Pune after the MPCA requested for a change of venue. However, the move could create further logistical problems, as the travel could make it difficult to transport the eight teams along with the umpires and match officials.
The situation is further complicated as two other tournaments, the Women’s Under-23 T20 Trophy in Ahmedabad and the Men’s Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy, also require frequent travel by teams and officials.
A source tracking the developments said, “If the crisis continues, it could be a challenge to transport the eight participating teams, as well as the umpires and other officials to Pune for the SMAT knockouts. Additionally, the Women’s Under-23 T20 Trophy and Men’s Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy are currently underway in Ahmedabad, which requires teams and officials (umpires and officials) to travel frequently.”
Rohit Sharma likely to play for Mumbai in SMAT knockout matches
Many top Indian players are expected to participate in the knockouts of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. However, the ongoing IndiGo flight crisis has raised concerns. The airline has already canceled around 1,000 flights and many other domestic flights have also been disrupted.
Notably, the league stage of the tournament is currently being played in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Hyderabad.
Rohit Sharma has reportedly shown interest in playing for Mumbai in the knockout stage. He retired from T20I cricket more than a year ago; However, he wants to make a comeback for his state team.
Mumbai are in good form having won four out of their five Elite Group A matches. His qualification for the knockout is almost certain. Mumbai captain Shardul Thakur will also join Rohit at Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2026 season.
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