The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) is the most important T20 tournament of India’s domestic cricket and has been one of the toughest events in the domestic circuit during the years it has been held.
Incidents Taking place right from the initial supremacy of Tamil Nadu to the recent ascendance of Mumbai, every season has been the cradle of fresh talents as well as unforgettable acts.
A complete list of the champions from 2006/07 to 2024/25 is given below.
Complete List of Winners (Season-Wise)
| Season | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2006/07 | Tamil Nadu |
| 2009/10 | Maharashtra |
| 2010/11 | Bengal |
| 2011/12 | Baroda |
| 2012/13 | Gujarat |
| 2013/14 | Baroda |
| 2014/15 | Gujarat |
| 2015/16 | Uttar Pradesh |
| 2016/17 | East Zone |
| 2017/18 | Delhi |
| 2018/19 | Karnataka |
| 2019/20 | Karnataka |
| 2020/21 | Tamil Nadu |
| 2021/22 | Tamil Nadu |
| 2022/23 | Mumbai |
| 2023/24 | Punjab |
| 2024/25 | Mumbai |
A Quick Summary of the Tournament’s Journey
Tamil Nadu’s Early and Consistent Success
Tamil Nadu won the very first edition in 2006/07 and continued to show strong performances over the years. They also dominated back-to-back seasons in 2020/21 and 2021/22.
Rise of Baroda and Gujarat
Between 2011 and 2015, Baroda and Gujarat created a mini-rivalry in the tournament:
- Baroda won twice
- Gujarat also won twice
Both teams became strong T20 units during this period.
Karnataka’s Golden Phase
Karnataka lifted the trophy in 2018/19 and 2019/20, showcasing one of the best-balanced domestic squads of that era.
Also Read: Why was Prithvi Shaw selected as Maharashtra’s captain over Ruturaj Gaikwad?
Mumbai’s New Era of Dominance
Mumbai, traditionally strong in domestic cricket, entered their golden phase in T20s by winning the title in 2022/23 and again in 2024/25.
Unique Champions
A few seasons had surprise winners:
- East Zone (2016/17) – a rare combined-team victory
- Punjab (2023/24) – a breakthrough season with excellent performances in the league stage and knockouts
Most Successful Teams (By Titles)
Here’s a quick look at which teams have dominated SMAT over the years:
- Tamil Nadu – 3 titles
- Karnataka – 2 titles
- Baroda – 2 titles
- Gujarat – 2 titles
- Mumbai – 2 titles
Tamil Nadu clearly stands out as the most consistent team in the competition.
Written By:- Manjunath S