Punjab batter Salil Arora stuns Jharkhand with an unbeaten 125 from 45 balls in SMAT 2025-26 Super 8 stage.
Salil Arora’s blistering 125* off 45 balls lit up the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2025-26 Super 8 stage, even as Punjab fell short against Jharkhand. The 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Amritsar turned the DY Patil Academy in Pune into his personal stage on December 11. Despite Punjab’s loss, his innings stands as a masterclass in white-ball game.
Punjab slumped to 28-2 early in their Super League Group A clash, setting a precarious platform. Arora strode in at number five and rebuilt with calculated fury, reaching his half-century in 23 balls before exploding to a 39-ball ton, the third-fastest for Punjab in SMAT history.
He finished unbeaten with nine fours and 11 sixes, propelling Punjab to 235-6; his final flourish included three sixes and a four off Sushant Mishra in the last over.
Jharkhand chased it down in 18.1 overs for a six-wicket win, led by Kumar Kushagra’s 82* and Ishan Kishan’s 47. Arora’s knock, though, went in vain, showcasing shot-making precision. He hit some towering lofted covers, savage pulls, and ramps that dismantled the bowling.
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Rise from Amritsar
Born on November 7, 2002, in Amritsar, Punjab, Salil Arora grew up in a cricket-loving family. His father was a district-level player and nurtured his talent on local fields. Arora began his professional cricket journey at a very young age, competing in the Under-19 circuit for Punjab. His consistent and impressive performances quickly set him apart, earning him a spot in the Indian Under-19 team.
A major milestone in his career came during the 2020-21 season when he made his first-class debut for Punjab in the Ranji Trophy. In a short period, Salil drew attention for his powerful stroke play as well as his ability to stay at the crease when needed, displaying a fine balance of aggression, patience, and solid technique.
Arora evolved into a middle-order dynamo and wicketkeeper, with this SMAT ton ranking as Punjab’s third-highest individual T20 score, behind Abhishek Sharma’s 148 and Shubman Gill’s 126. His junior exploits and domestic consistency marked him as a prospect, but this blitzkrieg elevates him nationally.
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IPL auction spotlight
The IPL 2026 mini-auction looms days away, listing Arora as a Rs 30 lakh base-price wicketkeeper-batter. In a league craving explosive uncapped Indians, his 39-ball hundred screams value amid franchises hunting middle-order hitters.
With Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) reportedly on the lookout for an Indian wicketkeeper, the franchise could consider placing a bid for Arora at the auction scheduled to be held on December 16 in Abu Dhabi.
Known for his attacking approach with the bat, Arora could prove to be a useful pick for any team, even though he had featured in only seven T20 matches before this game.
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