Shreyas Iyer has etched his name into cricketing folklore on Sunday, November 15, by becoming the first cricketer to win both the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) as captain in the same calendar year. 

The 30-year-old led Mumbai to a thrilling 5-wicket victory over Rajat Patidar’s Madhya Pradesh in the SMAT 2024 final, completing a remarkable captaincy stint in 2024.

Mumbai’s Triumph in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2024 led by Shreyas Iyer

In the summit clash, Mumbai successfully chased down a challenging target of 175 in just 17.5 overs. In the match, Madhya Pradesh won the toss and chose to bat first. The team posted a total of 174/8, driven by Rajat Patidar’s explosive 81 off 40 balls and Subhranshu Senapati’s 23. Mumbai’s bowling unit led by Shardul Thakur (4/41) and Royston Dias (2/32), kept the scoring in check despite Patidar’s onslaught.

Mumbai’s chase was anchored by Suryakumar Yadav, who scored a composed 48 off 35 balls, and Ajinkya Rahane, who contributed 37 off 30. Striking contributions from the middle order ensured a smooth finish, despite efforts from Madhya Pradesh bowlers Tripuresh Singh (2/34) and Shivam Shukla (1/22).

Shreyas Iyer, the fourth-leading run-scorer in the tournament, amassed 345 runs in nine matches at an average of 49.28, including a century, underlining his significant contributions in Mumbai’s triumph.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) IPL 2024 Glory

Earlier this year, Shreyas Iyer led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL title, ending their 10-year drought. His tactical brilliance and leadership proved instrumental in KKR’s successful campaign.

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KKR’s Bold Move Ahead of IPL 2025 Season

In a shocking turn, Iyer became the first IPL captain to be released just a season after winning the title. During the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, he fetched a staggering ₹26.75 crore, becoming the second-most expensive player in IPL history. 

Punjab Kings secured the successful captain’s services, and although an official announcement is awaited, Iyer is widely tipped to captain the 2014 runners-up.

If confirmed, Iyer will become the first Indian cricketer to serve as the full time captain of three different IPL franchises, cementing his status as a modern-day cricketing icon.