SMAT 2024: Suryansh Shedge is making all the "right calculations" as finisher

Mumbai have Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube in their batting line-up, but it’s the 21-year-old Suryansh Shedge who has forced everyone to sit up and take notice in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). 

Shedge smashed 30* off eight deliveries in the 230-run chase against Andhra to help Mumbai top the Group E table and avoid playing the pre-quarterfinals. Then, in the quarterfinal against Vidarbha on December 11, chasing 221, the right-hander smoked 36* off 12 deliveries and won the game for Mumbai with four deliveries to spare.

Ajinkya Rahane slammed 84 off 45 deliveries before perishing in the 16th over. Mumbai needed 60 off 24 deliveries, and that’s when Shedge took the attack to off-spinner Mandar Mahale, hitting him for 24 runs in the 17th over. Shivam Dube (37* off 22) then whacked Dipesh Parwani for two consecutive sixes before Shedge finished things off in the final over with another maximum. 

“So before I went in I’d done calculations as to who would bowl. Thakur had only one over left and they had to bowl a spinner. They won’t bowl Parth Rekhade [left-arm spinner) because Shivam bhaiya was there,” Shedge told the Indian Express.

“So I knew they would bowl a spinner, and I was just waiting for the moment. And as soon as they brought in the off-spinner, I could take my chance and make it a 25-run over. And since Shivam bhaiya was also there, I knew we could take the game away in no time. I was just focusing on a ball-by-ball battle. And I was just going back to my mantra, which I keep repeating even in my room – to believe in myself.”

Among batters who have faced at least 20 deliveries in the SMAT 2024, Shedge (247.22) has the best batting strike rate. He has faced only 36 deliveries in this competition and hit four fours and nine maximums. With some of the big names making themselves available for the tournament, Shedge had to take up the role of the finisher.

“It is new for me, but I’ve been inculcating a lot of good habits in practice. I’ve been practising for the role as this is my first senior T20 tournament, and I didn’t want to lose out on any opportunity. The batting order is packed, so when you play at No.5 or 6, you have to make adjustments accordingly, and I learnt it will be a one-ball battle,” Shedge says.

“Being a finisher there is not much time to settle. It all comes to execution, where you go in with a clear mind and not look at the score and just focus on the ball. So, in practice, I would target different pockets to score and explore different areas. We were playing a lot of red-ball cricket and for SMAT, at the nets I would start playing from the first ball. I’m not sorted as yet, but what I’m trying to do is play shorter sets. So when I play a set of 6 balls, I will keep a target and try to achieve that.”

The all-rounder, who can also bowl some medium pace, was picked by Punjab Kings for INR 30 lakh in the mega auction. “I was definitely happy, but after an hour, I just went back to my usual routines. I’m a very private person who has a very close circle. So, once I shared the moment with them, I started looking ahead. Playing for Mumbai is an ultimate dream, and I want to win the title with them.”

Mumbai will take on Baroda in the first semi-final on December 13, while Delhi will play Madhya Pradesh on the same day as well. Both matches will take place at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

(Image credit - Suryansh Shedge's Instagram)

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