SMAT 2025-26: Top 10 Leading Wicket-Takers
In T20 cricket, taking wickets at the right time can be just as important as scoring quick runs. A single breakthrough can change the momentum of a match, put the batting side under pressure and give the bowling team a chance to take control.
The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 featured several impressive bowling performances. Some experienced names delivered consistently, while young domestic pacers showed why they could become exciting prospects for Indian cricket. Sushant Mishra and Ashok Sharma finished at the top with 22 wickets each. Let's look at the leading wicket-takers of the tournament.
Top 10 Wicket-Takers in SMAT 2025-26
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sushant Mishra | Jharkhand | 11 | 22 |
| 1 | Ashok Sharma | Rajasthan | 10 | 22 |
| 3 | Anshul Kamboj | Haryana | 11 | 21 |
| 4 | Yash Thakur | Vidarbha | 7 | 18 |
| 4 | Anukul Roy | Jharkhand | 11 | 18 |
| 6 | Chama Milind | Hyderabad | 9 | 17 |
| 6 | Shivam Shukla | Madhya Pradesh | 10 | 17 |
| 8 | Mohammed Shami | Bengal | 7 | 16 |
| 8 | Tanay Thyagarajan | Hyderabad | 10 | 16 |
| 8 | Tripuresh Singh | Madhya Pradesh | 10 | 16 |
| 8 | Satyanarayana Raju | Andhra Pradesh | 9 | 16 |
Bowlers Who Made the Biggest Impact
Sushant Mishra and Ashok Sharma were the standout performers of the season. Both picked up 22 wickets, the highest tally in a single edition of the tournament. Mishra achieved this in 11 matches, while Ashok reached the same number in just 10 matches.
Anshul Kamboj was close behind with 21 wickets for Haryana. Meanwhile, Yash Thakur made an equally strong impression by taking 18 wickets in only seven matches. His best performance was 5/16, making him one of the most exciting bowling performers of the competition.
Anukul Roy also finished with 18 wickets for Jharkhand. His contribution was particularly valuable because he also scored 304 runs, earning the Player of the Tournament award.
Who Could Become the Top Wicket-Taker Next Season?
The next edition could bring another interesting battle among domestic bowlers. Sushant Mishra and Ashok Sharma will be names to watch after their outstanding campaigns. Anshul Kamboj has also shown the consistency needed to challenge for the top spot.
However, Yash Thakur could be an exciting contender. Taking 18 wickets in just seven matches is a strong indication of his ability to make an impact.
My pick would be Yash Thakur. If he maintains the same consistency and gets enough opportunities, he could finish among the leading wicket-takers next season. But with several talented bowlers in the competition, the race will not be easy.
Final Thoughts
SMAT 2025-26 once again highlighted the depth of India's domestic bowling talent. While Mishra and Ashok shared the top position, performances from Kamboj, Thakur and Roy made the competition even more interesting. The big question now is whether these bowlers can repeat their success or a new name will lead the wicket-taking charts next season.
