Vidarbha has revealed their 17-member squad for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025, which includes the comeback of legendary Indian pacer Umesh Yadav. The 38-year-old, who last competed in the competition in 2024, will return to action during the domestic T20 season in Lucknow, which runs from November 26 to December 8. Meanwhile, all-rounder Harsh Dubey will lead the team, with Yash Thakur serving as his deputy.
Umesh Yadav last appeared in SMAT 2024, where he played only two matches.
Notably, the pacer has had a quiet domestic season and hopes to make a comeback during this competition. The experienced pacer has expressed his desire to return to the Indian team, emphasising that only strong domestic performances will pave the path for a recall.
The veteran, who last played for India in the WTC Final 2023, has publicly highlighted the difficulties of waiting for opportunities, as well as his incentive for staying at the domestic level. Despite not being picked since that match and going unsold in the IPL 2025 auction, he is still eager to return. With 57 Tests and 170 wickets, the Vidarbha veteran provides excellent leadership to the bowling unit.
Jitesh Sharma not included
Though his recent form in domestic cricket has been decent, including a single-wicket outing in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, Umesh is expected to strengthen Vidarbha. Vidarbha enters the 2025 edition with several notable changes. Last season’s captain, Jitesh Sharma, who led the team to the quarterfinals, has not been included, as he remains occupied with India A duties and an upcoming T20I series against South Africa. In his absence, Dubey has been handed the leadership.
Notably, Harsh had an impressive outing at the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha, where he scored his maiden T20 fifty and took four wickets. His extraordinary Ranji Trophy 2024-25 campaign, where he claimed a record-breaking 69 wickets, played a crucial role in Vidarbha’s title triumph and earned him a mid-season IPL contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The squad also features wicketkeeper Shivam Deshmukh, with pacer Yash Thakur appointed vice-captain. Vidarbha’s group includes strong opponents such as Mumbai, Kerala, Assam, Odisha, Railways, and Andhra, with their tournament opener scheduled against Chhattisgarh on November 26.
Vidarbha squad for Syed Musthtaq Ali Trophy 2025
Harsh Dubey (C), Yash Thakur (VC), Atharva Taide, Dhruv Shorey, Aman Mokhade, Yash Rathod, Shivam Deshmukh (wk), Akshay Wadkar, Nachiket Bhute, Darshan Nalkande, Yash Kadam, Varun Bisht, Parth Rekhade, Umesh Yadav, Praful Hinge, Deepesh Parwani, Adhyayan Daga
India
