SMAT 2024: Top 3 batters with most sixes in the tournament

The recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024 saw brilliant performances as Mumbai clinched their second title in three years. While the tournament celebrated team efforts, several batters cleared the ropes consistently, adding firepower to every game. Andhra captain Ricky Bhui smashed a record 20 sixes this season. With this, Bhui not only led from the front but also registered his name in SMAT history as the batter with the most sixes across all editions of the tournament, smashing 107 sixes.

Mumbai’s Ajinkya Rahane also had a season to remember, scoring 469 runs at a strike rate of 164.56. While Rahane isn’t traditionally known for big sixes, his aggressive intent this season played a crucial role in Mumbai’s successful title run. Hyderabad skipper Tilak Varma registered the tournament’s highest individual score of 151 runs against Meghalaya. His innings featured several sixes. The tournament also witnessed Baroda batter Vishnu Solanki, who capitalized on flat decks.

Here’s a look at the top three batters with most sixes from SMAT 2024:

3. Bhanu Pania (25 sixes):

Baroda’s top-order batter Bhanu Pania smashed 25 sixes in just seven innings in the recently concluded SMAT 2024 making him the third-most on this list. Pania’s most standout performance came against Sikkim, where he played a knock of 134* off 51 balls, hitting 15 sixes and five fours. This explosive century was crucial in Baroda’s record-breaking total of 349 for 5, the highest ever in men’s T20 cricket, surpassing Zimbabwe’s 344 for 4 against Gambia.

He laced his inning with a strike rate of 262.74, with his first fifty coming off just 20 balls and the next off 22, making it his maiden T20 century in his 39th innings. Riding on his heroics, Baroda shattered the record for most sixes in an innings (37). With 273 runs at an average of 54.60 and a strike rate of 214.96 this season, Pania has become a key member of Baroda’s batting unit.

2. Rajat Patidar (27 sixes):

Madhya Pradesh skipper, Rajat Patidar registered an impactful performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024. Despite Madhya Pradesh falling short in the final showdown against Mumbai at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Patidar’s contributions in the entire season were a talking point. The 31-year-old scored 428 runs in nine innings, at an average of 61.14 and a strike rate of 186.08. Patidar also exhibited his ability to smash sixes by hitting 27 in the tournament.

The Indore-born’s best performance came in the final, where he scored an unbeaten 81 off 40 balls, single-handedly keeping Madhya Pradesh in the hunt against Mumbai side. This knock included his fifth half-century of the tournament. Throughout the competition, Patidar was particularly dominating against spinners, dismantling bowling attacks with ease. His best performances included a 78 against Meghalaya and unbeaten knocks of 66 and 62 against Delhi and Punjab, respectively.

1. Urvil Patel (29 sixes):

The 25-year-old Gujarat’s batter, Urvil Patel registered his name in the record books with a sensational knock against Tripura, smashing the fastest T20 century by an Indian off just 28 balls. Less than a week later, Urvil followed it up with another brilliant performance, scoring an unbeaten 115 off 41 balls against Uttarakhand.

Patel’s heroics propelled Gujarat to the top of Group C, securing five wins in six matches. His century against Uttarakhand came off just 36 balls, making it his second consecutive T20 hundred. In the process, he hammered eight fours and 11 sixes, taking his tournament tally to 29 sixes, overtaking Hardik Pandya to become the highest six-hitter of the season.

Also Read: SMAT 2024: Top three run-getters in the tournament

With 315 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 229.92. His innings of 113* against Tripura featured 12 sixes.

Disclaimer: This latest news is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.