No Quarter Final and Semi Final in SMAT 2025: New Qualification Scenario Explained

The domestic season in India is underway and has given immense joy to the fans. After the enthralling first leg of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26 is underway. The tournament kick-started on Tuesday, November 26, with almost every team in action on day one.

The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 will be a great audition for the players ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction. The bidding event will take place on December 16 in Abu Dhabi, and the eyes of franchise owners will be on the SMAT 2025.

What is the SMAT 2025 New Qualification Scenario?

Ahead of this edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made changes to the format of the league. Just like the Ranji Trophy, teams have been divided into the Elite (32 teams) and Plate (six teams) divisions. The introduction of the Ranji Trophy format has also changed the Qualification Scenario. This has been put into effect in the Elite Group, meaning that the knockout rounds have been eliminated, and there will be a new method for Qualification

There will be four groups in the Elite Group, and the top two teams from each group will be entering the Super League. In the Super League, teams will be divided into two more groups, and the top teams from these two groups will play the final. In the Elite Group, the knockouts have been replaced eight-team round-robin Super League. There will be no Quarter Final and Semi Final in SMAT 2025 as the round-robin Super League will be followed directly by the SMAT Final 2025, which will take place on 18 December 2025.

SMAT 2025 New Qualification Scenario: Explained

Elite Groups - (Group A-D):

• The top 2 teams from all 4 groups will directly qualify for the Super League.
• Group A & B will have 4 teams each.
• Each team will play 3 matches in the Super League.

Super League:

Final:

• Final - Group toppers from the A & B groups will play in the final.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 Groups

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 will see some of the best batsman in India taking part. Many teams have done well in the tournament. Mumbai won the last edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 as they beat Madhya Pradesh in the final of the last edition. They are red-hot favourites to win this edition as well as they have some of the big Indian players in the squad. They have won the two times, while Tamil Nadu is the most successful team in the tournament's history with 3 titles, which has also produced some of the best bowler in India. Here are the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 Groups: