Top 5 players to watch in SMAT 2025-26 after releasing from IPL teams — who could make a big statement this domestic season.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), India’s premier domestic T20 tournament, is back for its 18th edition. It is set to be an exciting affair, with the IPL 2026 auction fast approaching. .
This SMAT will act as a key showcase for many youngsters aiming to make an impression ahead of the IPL auction. It’s not only the lesser-known names, several players with solid IPL and international experience also have plenty to prove.
Here is a closer look at the players whose performances are likely to be closely monitored ahead of the impending auctions.
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Venkatesh Iyer
One of the costliest buys of IPL 2025, Venkatesh Iyer, was not retained by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Having been picked by the franchise at a whopping INR 23.75 crore, Venkatesh could muster only 142 runs in the seven innings he batted for them in the whole season.
Since his last IPL game against the Rajasthan Royals in May, the left-hander has featured in just three first-class games. He started his SMAT campaign with a score of 11 against Hyderabad, playing for Madhya Pradesh. Being an India left-handed batter, the demand for him in the IPL auction would be high, and it is time that Venkatesh Iyer strings together some good scores in the coming games.
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Rahul Tripathi
Rahul Tripathi, who once impressed with his fearless hitting in the IPL, had a disappointing season with the Chennai Super Kings. Playing only five games, the right-hander averaged just 11 with a strike rate of 96.49, a steep drop from earlier seasons where he struck at 158 and 143. Known for his unconventional shot-making and ability to take on bowlers from the start, Tripathi will be eager to rediscover his lost spark.
He has begun his Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 campaign on a positive note, scoring a brisk 26 off 11 balls for Maharashtra. With the auction not far away, consistent performances in the upcoming matches will be crucial for Tripathi to boost his stocks and remind franchises of the impact player he once was.
Akash Deep
While Mayank was retained by LSG, India’s Test regular Akash Deep was released. The pacer was bought at a high price of INR 8 crores at the auction and couldn’t justify his tag as he took only three wickets in the six games he featured.
While there is no doubt about his talent in red-ball cricket, Akash has a lot to prove when it comes to white-ball skills. And SMAT presents a perfect opportunity for him to make a name for himself when he turns up for Bengal just weeks before the auction.
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Ravi Bishnoi
Once a regular feature in India’s T20I squad, Ravi Bishnoi has seemingly lost his place in the national team, and now he has been released by the Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the auctions. Purchased at INR 11 crores by LSG, Bishnoi could take just the nine wickets in 11 games and was going at nearly 11 runs per over.
The preceding season wasn’t good for Bishnoi, picking 10 wickets in 14 outings. Owing to his form, he eventually lost his place in the India T20I setup, and now he desperately needs to turn things around. A good performance for Gujarat is all he needs to get back into reckoning.
Akash Madhwal
While the four players are capped at the international level, Akash Madhwal is the only uncapped player in this list. After a stunning first year in IPL with Mumbai Indians, where he took 14 wickets in eight games, Madhwal could scalp just nine wickets in the next two seasons.
Despite being picked at INR 1.20 crores in the 2025 auction by Rajasthan, he has been released by the franchise. So, he would be in some demand at the mini auctions, provided he backs up with some great performances in the SMAT for Uttarakhand.
The other two players who should be watched out in the SMAT are the Indian international players, Prithvi Shaw and Rahul Chahar. While Shaw couldn’t find takers in IPL 2025, Chahar played just a solitary game for SunRisers Hyderabad in 2025 before being released. Shaw has shown signs of getting back to form in the domestic circuit, and Chahar was impressive in his brief county stint in England.
But, the big test for these players is to prove themselves in this SMAT to stake a claim at the upcoming auction.
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