The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly shifted the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockout matches from Indore to Pune due to logistical reasons. According to The Times of India, the change may become more challenging as ongoing disruptions in domestic flight services could affect travel plans.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockout matches, originally set for Indore from December 12 to 18, will now be played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Gahunje and the Dr. DY Patil Academy ground in Ambi. The venue change was forced by a shortage of hotel rooms in Indore due to a global conference.
MPCA Informed BCCI in Advance of Inability to Host Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Knockouts
According to a Times of India report, the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association informed the BCCI nearly two weeks earlier that they would be unable to host the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockouts.
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MPCA CEO Rohit Pandit stated that a major global doctors’ conference will take place in Indore from December 9 to 12, leading to a shortage of available hotel rooms and making it impossible to stage the matches as planned.
“We informed BCCI about a fortnight ago that we will not be able to stage the SMAT knockouts as there is a lack of hotel room availability here due to some global conference (of doctors) in Indore from Dec 9-12,” Rohit Pandit told TOI from Indore on Friday.
BCCI Shifts the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Knockouts to Pune
A BCCI official confirmed that the BCCI shifted the knockouts to Pune after the MPCA requested a venue change. However, the move may trigger further logistical issues, as traveling could make it difficult to transport the eight teams, along with umpires and match officials.
The situation is even more complex because two other tournaments, the Women’s Under-23 T20 Trophy in Ahmedabad and the Men’s Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy, also require constant travel for teams and officials.
“If the crisis continues, it could be a challenge to fly the eight participating teams, as well as the umpires and other officials to Pune for the SMAT knockouts. Also, the Women’s Under-23 T20 Trophy in Ahmedabad and the Men’s Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy are going on at the moment, for which the teams and officials (umpires and officials) need to travel constantly,” said a source tracking developments.
Rohit Sharma Likely to Play for Mumbai in SMAT Knockout Matches
Many top Indian players are expected to take part in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockouts. However, the ongoing IndiGo flight crisis has created concerns. The airline has already cancelled around 1,000 flights, and several other domestic flights have 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 the knockout stage for Mumbai. He retired from T20I cricket more than a year ago; however, he wants to return for his state team.
Mumbai have been in good form, winning four of their five Elite Group A matches. Their qualification for the knockouts is almost confirmed. Mumbai skipper Shardul Thakur will also join Rohit at Mumbai Indians for the IPL 2026 season.
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