Any experienced cricket watcher could have been forgiven for thinking that India’s supremely talented opening batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal, had left the ODI camp and made an appearance for Tripura at number three in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Saturday. However, it was not the Rajasthan Royals superstar, but his five-year-old brother, Tejasvi, who hit a 37-ball 51 against Uttarakhand in Ahmedabad with a nearly identical style.
Coming to bat at 60/1 in the first innings, Tejasvi smashed four sixes and a boundary on his way to the half-century. It was the highest score of the innings, helping Tripura put up 163/6, but came in a losing cause, as Uttarakhand captain Kunal Chandela struck a 37-ball 51 before Jagadeesha Suchith smashed three fours and a six in a seven-ball
21 to steer them to a four-wicket win on the last ball.
Watch the highlights of the knock here:
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Tejasvi and Yashasvi share a heart-melting story. The brothers came to Mumbai together with the same goal of becoming cricketers.
However, their family’s financial condition could afford only one dream, and the elder brother gave up his to take up a job in Delhi. For years, he’d send money to his younger brother as he became a big sensation on the circuit, eventually becoming an all-format star for the country.
With the family’s financials taken care of, he has returned to the dream with Tripura.
Other SMAT results
Jharkhand produced a commanding all-round performance to defeat Tamil Nadu by 28 runs in their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Elite Group D clash on Saturday. After being put in to bat, Jharkhand stumbled early at 29 for 2, but Kumar Kushagra (84 off 48) and Virat Singh (72 off 39) revived the innings with a superb 120-run partnership. Their stand set the platform for a late flourish from Virat and Anukul Roy, lifting Jharkhand to an imposing 207 for 3.
Tamil Nadu stayed competitive through the first half of the chase, led by Sai Sudharsan’s composed 64. However, his run-out at 124 for 2 triggered a rapid slide, and the side eventually closed at 179 for 7. Sushant Mishra and Bal Krishna claimed two wickets each to seal the win.
Elsewhere, Saurashtra clinched a dramatic one-run victory over Karnataka, defending 178 thanks to disciplined spells from Chetan Sakariya, Jaydev Unadkat and Prerak Mankad. Devdutt Padikkal’s 66 nearly carried Karnataka home, but late wickets halted their charge.
In another tight finish, Rajasthan beat Delhi by three wickets, chasing 176 off the final ball. Mukul Choudhary’s explosive 62 off 26 balls proved decisive, supported by key middle-order contributions.
