Prior to the season, the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) chose to rely on trusted figures. Former players Shahbaz Nadeem and Saurabh Tiwary were appointed as joint secretary and secretary, respectively, bringing valuable experience and stability to the administration during a pivotal period.
Both of these appointments came at the recommendation of MS Dhoni, the most celebrated figure in Jharkhand cricket, whose impact continues to steer the state’s cricketing trajectory.
“When we kicked off the season, from the selection of the coaching staff onward, we have always relied on MS Dhoni’s insights and recommendations,” Nadeem told ESPNCricinfo. “He has a deep interest in the Jharkhand team and genuinely wants them to excel. It is encouraging to have such a prominent player closely monitoring our team.
“Moreover, he is very attentive during each match. He followed the entire SMAT tournament, identifying the players’ strengths and weaknesses to discuss with us. He is well-versed in the statistics and details of every domestic player from Jharkhand. His commitment to advancing Jharkhand cricket is remarkable.”
The results were impressive. Jharkhand secured victories in 10 out of their 11 matches, topping a challenging group that featured former champions like Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Their comeback victory against Karnataka, achieved from a nearly impossible situation, became a pivotal highlight of the tournament.
At the forefront of this success was Ishan Kishan. The left-handed batsman amassed 517 runs in 10 innings, achieving an extraordinary strike rate of 197.32, and emerged as the tournament’s leading run-scorer. His remarkable form not only fueled Jharkhand’s title pursuit but also earned him a place back in the Indian squad ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.
