IPL 2025: 5 CSK players who made a strong impact in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024

It was a thrilling season of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy this year with teams outperforming each other and young talents proving their prowess in the much-coveted tournament. With teams like Baroda, MP, Delhi and Mumbai reaching the semi-finals, Delhi and Baroda were eventually left behind. In the finals of the SMAT 2024, Mumbai defeated the former Ranji Trophy champions, Madhya Pradesh to win this year’s title.

Hopes high after several CSK players leave their mark in the prestigious tournament

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has been one of the most successful team in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The men-in-yellow have won the IPL title five times, level with Mumbai Indians. Over the years, CSK has been home to some of the most impactful IPL players, including the likes of Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni, Faf Du Plessis, and Dwayne Bravo.

With the new IPL season around corner, several CSK players have left their mark in the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Fans now hope that these players could repeat their impressive form for their IPL franchise.

Read More: WATCH: CSK’s new recruit Shreyas Gopal bags a stunning hattrick against Hardik Pandya’s Baroda in SMAT 2024

5 CSK players who impressed fans and analysts alike in the SMAT 2024

The captain of the Chennai Super Kings has announced that he is in-form with the bat ahead of the upcoming IPL season. Playing for his domestic side, Maharashtra in SMAT 2024 he displayed his exemplary skills as a batter. The highlight of his SMAT campaign was a thunderous 97-run innings against Services. The 27-year-old dominated the opposition bowling line-up scoring 6 boundaries and 8 sixes. His innings helped Maharashtra reach a mammoth total of 232 and ultimately commanding a 43-run victory.

An instrumental part of the T20 World Cup winning squad, Shivam Dube is known for his power hitting and the 31-year-old did just that for his domestic side, Mumbai. Dube was at the peak of his SMAT prowess against Services when he hit 71 off just 36 balls, including seven towering sixes in his innings. This performance from Dube could be a cheerful sign for the CSK fans of his upcoming IPL dominance.

• Mukesh Choudhary (Maharashtra):

Mukesh Choudhary’s epic run in the SMAT 2024 is well known. Wickets came raining down for the pacer who took 15 wickets for his domestic side Mumbai in the tournament. The 28-year-old thus became the third highest wicket-taker of the tournament level with S.N. Thakur of Mumbai. Additionally, Choudhary was one of the most efficient bowler in SMAT 2024 with an economy rate of 8.81 in 6 matches.

• Shreyas Gopal (Karnataka):

Chennai Super Kings recently acquired him in the mega IPL auction. The 31-year-old proved why he was chosen by the CSK management in SMAT 2024. The 31-year-old leg spinner engraved his moment in SMAT 2024 with a brilliant hat-trick against Baroda. Representing Karnataka, Gopal first got rid of Shashwat Sharma for his domestic side and then got rid of Krunal Pandya and Hardik Pandya on golden ducks. Even though Karnataka lost that match but because of Gopal’s 4/19 spell, the match got more thrilling towards the end. Gopal was also the fifth highest wicket-taker in SMAT 2024.

• Kamlesh Nagarkoti (Rajasthan)

The 24-year-old young pacer was a prodigy find for Chennai Super Kings. Nagarkoti gave consistent performances in the SMAT 2024 for his domestic side, Rajasthan. He was a top wicket taker for the Rajasthan side taking 10 wickets in 7 matches with an economy rate of 6.70. This performance from a youngster has raised hopes of CSK fans. Nagarkoti can be a surprise inclusion for the team in the upcoming season.

Also Read: Chennai Super Kings IPL 2025 Squad: Complete players list of CSK after the mega auction