Baroda vs Uttarakhand, SMAT 2024, Today Match Prediction 25 November 2024

BCA vs UTK Match Prediction & Analysis

The 26th match of the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will see last year’s runners-up Baroda face-off against Uttarakhand at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. Both teams won their first games of the season and will be eager to build on the winning momentum. Baroda have won two of their three matches against Uttarakhand and look good enough to extend that lead. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Baroda Preview

Baroda had a good season last year, finishing as the runners-up in the tournament where they eventually lost the final to Punjab. They have started the new season on an emphatic note with a comfortable 5-wicket win against Gujarat. they chased down a target of 185 with three balls to spare. 

The addition of Hardik Pandya has really bolstered the squad. The Indian seam-bowling all-rounder has been in terrific form with the bat and ball this year and it showed in his very first game for Baroda in the 2024 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy as he led the chase with a sparkling unbeaten knock of 74 off 35 balls. 

Shivalik Sharma (64 off 43) played an invaluable knock as well. 

Skipper Krunal Pandya is a valuable asset to the team. He was their top run-scorer last season, scoring over 300 runs, and also chipped in with 7 wickets with his left-arm spin.

Vishnu Solanki and Bhanu Pania could also be good picks to score some runs in this match.

Hardik Pandya took the new ball in the previous game, finishing with figures of 1-37. Atit Sheth, who led Baroda's bowling attack last year, continued his good form with a 2-wicket spell for 31 runs. Baroda's bowling attack, led by Krunal, Hardik, Atit, and Mahesh Pithiya, is quite formidable.

Baroda Predicted Playing XI:

Mitesh Patel (wk), Bhanu Pania, Vishnu Solanki, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya (c), Ninad Ashvinkumar Rathva, Shivalik Sharma, Mahesh Pithiya, Raj Limbani, Lukman Meriwala/ Abhimanyu Singh Rajput, Atit Sheth

Uttarakhand Preview

Uttarakhand are coming off a thrilling win against Karnataka. Batting first at Emerald High School Ground, they posted a huge 216 on the board courtesy of a sensational 123 off 60 balls by opener Yuvraj Chaudhary. 

While Uttarakhand won the game, they would want more contributions from their middle order. In the previous game, Aditya Tare (42* off 23) was the second-highest scorer in the innings.

Keep your eyes on Avneesh Sudha, who was the team’s highest run-getter last season with 248 runs in 6 innings at an average of 49.60 and a strike rate of 149.39.

Uttarakhand will bank on their bowlers, especially Akash Madhwal and Himanshu Bisht, who impressed in the last match with three wickets each. Swapnil Singh, Rajan Kumar, and Agrim Tiwari are also capable of making significant contributions with the ball.

Uttarakhand Predicted Playing XI:

Ravikumar Samarth, Aditya Tare (wk), Avneesh Sudha, Himanshu Bisht, Swapnil Singh, Agrim Tiwari, Kunal Chandela, Vijay Sharma, Yuvraj Chaudhary, Akash Madhwal (c), Rajan Kumar

Weather Conditions

The Holkar Cricket Stadium is a batting-friendly pitch. While seamers might get some early swing, the pitch will become easier for batting as the match goes on. 

The weather forecast is clear and warm, with no rain expected.

BCA vs UTK Pitch Report

The average score batting first at the Holkar Stadoum is 160. The team batting first in Indore should target a score of around 180-190 runs. There will be plenty of boundaries on offer as this is a small ground.

Toss: To Bat

The team batting first won the previous morning game quite comfortably played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium this season. Given the batting-friendly conditions, both captains are expected to opt for batting first and setting a big target.