The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is India's domestic T20 championship, and the 2026/27 edition starts on 14 November and finishes with the final on 6 December. Thirty-eight state and union teams play 141 matches in three weeks, which makes it a good place to spot players before they reach the IPL or India squads.
This guide has the groups, the format and the dates. Every fixture is on the CricketDream SMAT hub with its own match page and Predictor game. Player-pool fantasy is not offered for state teams, but you can follow every match and play the free games.
Format
The groups
One note on the data: the Cricinfo schedule lists Chhattisgarh v Tripura on 20 November under Elite Group D, although Tripura is in Group C. We show the schedule exactly as published and will correct it if Cricinfo does.
Match timings in India
Most matches start in the morning or early afternoon IST: the main slots are 9:00 AM and 1:30 PM IST. Some start at 8:30 AM, 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM or 1:00 PM IST, and a few finish later in the evening. Every fixture on the hub shows the time in your own timezone, and the match pages show it in IST.
Why the tournament matters
- It is where players are noticed. State T20s are where IPL franchises scout uncapped players, and where national selectors see form in the shortest format.
- The schedule is huge. 141 matches in 23 days means several matches on most days, so the hub is the easiest way to see what is live.
- Early results matter. With eight-team groups playing a round robin, a slow start can end a team's run, so points in the first week are worth more than they look.
How to follow SMAT on CricketDream
- Use the SMAT hub for every fixture, venue and start time.
- Open each match page for the live score and result.
- Play Predictor on any match to see how well you read the groups.
- Between matches, play Cricket Grid, CricketQuest and the Cricket Quiz.
With several matches in one time slot, pick one or two to follow closely rather than all of them. The hub lists them by day, so you can see the lineup for each morning.
Play free on CricketDream
Every CricketDream game is free, with no entry fee and no prize pool. Pick 11 players within the credit budget, choose a captain (2x points) and vice-captain (1.5x points), and your score updates live through the match.
Open the SMAT 2026/27 hub for every fixture, group and result.
Open SMAT hubFrequently asked questions
When is the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026/27?
It starts on 14 November 2026 and the final is on 6 December 2026.
How many teams are playing?
38 teams: 32 in the Elite division (four groups of eight) and six in the Plate group.
What is the format?
Round-robin groups, then two Super League groups for the qualified Elite teams, then the final. The Plate group plays a Plate Final.
Can I play fantasy for SMAT?
Not with a player pool, because state-team squads are not part of CricketDream fantasy. You can follow every match, play Predictor and use the free daily games.
Is CricketDream fantasy free to play?
Yes. Fantasy XI, Draft, Multi-Draft, Predictor, Cricket Quiz and CricketQuest are all completely free, with no entry fees and no cash prizes.