There’s a lot of buzz around the top performers of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with the IPL 2021 Auction coming up with a pool of 292 players set to go under the hammer on Feb 18. While the speculation continues, and so do the permutation and combination, here’s some of the top performers with the bat in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT 2020-21).

Kedar Devdhar: Devdhar is the highest run accumulator in the SMAT 2020-21 with a staggering 349 runs in 8 matches at an average 68.9! The Baroda skipper has had a string of good performances with the bat, scoring at a strike rate of approximately 113 in the tournament. His highest score of 99* (71balls) came against Maharashtra. With Devdhar being a regular keeper, those who are looking for a backup keeper in the auction will find interest in him surely.

Avi Barot: The occasional 'keeper-batsman from Saurashtra impressed with his power-hitting. He not only has accumulated 283 runs from just 5 matches with a solid average of 56.6, but he also ensured that his strike rate remained as high as 184 on aggregate throughout the series. He scored a brilliant 122 off just 53 balls (strike rate 230.19) against Goa and also had an equally impressive 93 off 44 balls against Vidarbha.

Rahul Singh: Services’ Rahul Singh had a great outing in this year’s Syed Mushtaq Ali Tournament, tallying 244 runs in 5 matches. He accumulated those runs at an average of 81.33 and a strike rate of 176.81. With three half centuries during the course of the competition, he was one of the most successful batsmen in the tournament.

Sheldon Jackson: Sheldon Jackson, who has been a part of KKR in the past, was in great touch this SMAT. Turning out for Puducherry, Jackson scored 242 runs in five matches (Average 80.66; Strike rate 155.12), and even hit an unbeaten 106 vs Andhra. His credentials as a domestic wicket keeper also makes him a valuable asset to any franchise.


Venkatesh Iyer: Madhya Pradesh’s Venkatesh Iyer scored 227 runs in five matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament this year. His knock of 88 not out vs Saurashtra made the headlines, as he finished with an average of 75.66 and a strike rate of 149.34. The 26-year-old is a left-hand batsman and has played 38 T20s, 19 List A games, and 10 first-class matches.