Key points
- Rajat Patidar has been named captain of Madhya Pradesh for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy beginning November 14, 2026.
- Madhya Pradesh have been placed in Elite Group C and will play their first four league matches in New Chandigarh before moving to Mohali.
- Patidar and Arshad Khan are expected to join India A for the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha, scheduled from November 19 to 29.
- Patidar has been appointed vice-captain of the India A side led by Tilak Varma.
- India pacer Avesh Khan is part of Madhya Pradesh’s 15-member squad and is expected to lead the bowling attack.
- Madhav Tiwari has not been included, while Kuldeep Sen is unavailable due to injury.
- Madhya Pradesh begin their campaign against Kerala on November 14, followed by matches against Assam, Tripura and Andhra.
Rajat Patidar has been named captain of Madhya Pradesh for the 2026 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which begins on November 14. The 15-member squad includes India fast bowler Avesh Khan, while Patidar’s availability for the full league stage could become a key consideration because of his India A commitments later in the month.
Madhya Pradesh have been placed in Elite Group C. The team will play its first four matches in New Chandigarh before completing the group stage in Mohali. Patidar’s appointment gives the side an experienced leader for the opening part of the campaign, although the state team may need to plan for a change in leadership if he leaves to join India A.
India A commitments could affect Patidar’s availability
Patidar and left-arm fast-bowling all-rounder Arshad Khan are scheduled to link up with India A for the Men’s Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha, Qatar, from November 19 to 29. Patidar has also been named vice-captain of the India A team, which will be led by Tilak Varma.
The overlapping schedules mean Madhya Pradesh could lose Patidar during the league phase. Reports indicate that he may be available for the opening fixtures, with a possible departure after the November 16 match against Assam. If that happens, the team management led by Chandrakant Pandit will have to identify a stand-in captain for the remaining games. The final extent of Patidar’s availability will be important to the side’s plans.
Avesh Khan leads an experienced bowling group
Avesh Khan is among the leading names in the squad and is expected to spearhead the pace attack. The bowling group also includes Mangesh Yadav, Tripuresh Singh and Rahul Batham, while the spin options include Kumar Kartikeya Singh, Saransh Jain and Shivang Kumar. The combination gives Madhya Pradesh a range of pace and spin choices for the T20 competition.
Harsh Gawli and Apoorv Dwivedi are the two wicketkeepers named in the squad. The batting group includes Akshat Raghuwanshi, Aniket Verma and Ritik Tada alongside Patidar. Those players could have added responsibility if the captain leaves for national duty before the end of the group stage.
Seam-bowling all-rounder Madhav Tiwari has missed selection despite featuring for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 and Ujjain Falcons in the Madhya Pradesh League T20 Scindia Cup. Fast bowler Kuldeep Sen has also not been selected, with reports attributing his absence to an injury.
Madhya Pradesh’s group-stage schedule
Madhya Pradesh open their campaign against Kerala in a day-night fixture at New Chandigarh on November 14. They then face Assam on November 16, Tripura on November 18 and Andhra on November 20. The first four fixtures will therefore be played at the New Chandigarh venue.
The team’s remaining group matches are against Maharashtra on November 22, Himachal Pradesh on November 24 and Puducherry on November 26. Those fixtures are scheduled in Mohali. A strong start in the opening set of matches will be particularly valuable if Patidar is unavailable for the later games.
Full Madhya Pradesh squad
The 15-member squad is: Ankush Singh, Akshat Raghuwanshi, Harsh Gawli (wicketkeeper), Rajat Patidar (captain), Aniket Verma, Ritik Tada, Apoorv Dwivedi (wicketkeeper), Saransh Jain, Kumar Kartikeya Singh, Shivam Shukla, Shivang Kumar, Avesh Khan, Tripuresh Singh, Rahul Batham and Mangesh Yadav.
Patidar’s dual role with Madhya Pradesh and India A makes his schedule one of the central selection points ahead of the tournament. The team’s early results, the timing of the India A release and the emergence of a temporary leadership option could all shape Madhya Pradesh’s campaign in Elite Group C.
Frequently asked questions
Who will captain Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026?
Rajat Patidar has been named captain of Madhya Pradesh for the 2026 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He is also part of the India A squad for the Rising Stars Asia Cup and has been appointed vice-captain under Tilak Varma.
When does Madhya Pradesh begin its Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign?
Madhya Pradesh begin their campaign against Kerala on November 14, 2026, in a day-night fixture at New Chandigarh. Their first four group matches are scheduled at New Chandigarh, with the remaining three to be played in Mohali.
Could Rajat Patidar miss part of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy?
Yes. Patidar and Arshad Khan are scheduled to join India A for the Rising Stars Asia Cup in Doha from November 19 to 29. Patidar could therefore miss part of Madhya Pradesh’s league campaign, and the team may need a stand-in captain for its remaining matches.
Is Avesh Khan included in Madhya Pradesh’s SMAT squad?
Yes. India fast bowler Avesh Khan is included in Madhya Pradesh’s 15-member squad and is expected to lead the bowling attack. The pace group also includes Mangesh Yadav, Tripuresh Singh and Rahul Batham, alongside several spin options.
Which players have missed out on Madhya Pradesh’s squad?
Madhav Tiwari has not been selected despite playing for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2026 and Ujjain Falcons in the Madhya Pradesh League T20 Scindia Cup. Kuldeep Sen is also absent, with reports stating that he is currently nursing an injury.