Chandigarh vs Baroda, SMAT, 2026, Today Match Prediction

cdg vs BCA Match Prediction & Analysis

Chandigarh and Baroda will begin their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2026-27 campaign with an Elite Group A encounter at the MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in Mumbai. Both teams will be keen to make a positive start, particularly after finishing outside the top two in their respective groups last season.

Baroda had the better campaign in 2025-26, finishing third in Elite Group C with four wins and three defeats from seven matches. Chandigarh, meanwhile, managed three victories and four losses, ending seventh in Elite Group B. The two teams have made changes to their squads, with Baroda bringing together experienced players such as Krunal Pandya, Deepak Hooda and Jitesh Sharma. Chandigarh will depend on Manan Vohra, Shivam Bhambri and the experience of Sandeep Sharma. A good start will be important in a competitive group.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Chandigarh Preview

Chandigarh will hope to improve on their seventh-place finish in Elite Group B last season, when they won three and lost four of their seven matches. Their batting was led by Manan Vohra, who scored 278 runs in seven innings at an average of 46.33 and a strike rate of 135.60, including four half-centuries. Arjun Azad was another useful contributor, scoring 142 runs at a strike rate of 127.92, with a highest score of 63. Both are part of the current squad and will be important at the top of the order. Shivam Bhambri managed 59 runs in five appearances last season, but his experience and ability to accelerate could make him a valuable middle-order option.

The biggest advantage for Chandigarh could be their bowling experience. Sandeep Sharma had an excellent previous SMAT campaign, claiming 13 wickets in seven matches at an average of 15.15 and an economy rate of 7.30. He will lead a bowling group that also includes Jagjit Singh, Bhagmender Lather and Nikhil Thakur. The team will need its younger players to complement the experienced core, particularly against a Baroda side with several established T20 performers.

Chandigarh Predicted Playing XI:

Manan Vohra, Arjun Azad, Shivam Bhambri, Aarush Bhandari, Bhagmender Lather, Hardik Chowdhry (wk), Jagjit Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Nikhil Thakur, Raman Bishnoi, Sanyam Saini

Baroda Preview

Baroda had a stronger previous SMAT campaign, finishing third in Elite Group C with four wins and three defeats from seven matches. Their batting had several contributors, including Bhanu Pania, who scored 112 runs in five innings at an average of 112.00. Amit Passi also produced a memorable performance, smashing 114 off 55 balls at a strike rate of 207.27 in his only appearance. Both are included in the current squad. Atit Sheth scored 92 runs in four innings, while Krunal Pandya managed 63 runs and picked up three wickets in six matches. Krunal's all-round contribution and leadership will be important, particularly with Deepak Hooda and Jitesh Sharma adding further experience to the batting line-up.

Baroda also have a promising bowling combination. Raj Limbani was one of the leading wicket-takers in the previous tournament, claiming 15 wickets, while Rasikh Salam picked up five wickets in six matches. Limbani's ability to strike with the new ball and Rasikh's pace give the side useful options. Mahesh Pithiya and Atit Sheth provide additional variety. Baroda have a balanced squad, but their challenge will be to turn individual performances into consistent team results.

Baroda Predicted Playing XI:

Shashwat Rawat, Amit Pasi (wk), Jitesh Sharma, Bhanu Pania, Deepak Hooda, Krunal Pandya (c), Atit Sheth, Mahesh Pithiya, Raj Limbani, Rasikh Salam, Safvan Patel

Weather Conditions

The forecast for Mumbai on November 14 indicates mainly clear conditions, with temperatures expected to reach around 34-35°C during the day and fall to approximately 24°C. Rain is not expected, so there should be no major weather-related interruption. The morning start should provide slightly more comfortable conditions than an afternoon fixture, although humidity and heat could become factors as the match progresses.

cdg vs BCA Pitch Report

The match will be played at the MCA Sharad Pawar Cricket Academy in BKC, Mumbai. The venue has hosted a relatively limited number of men's T20 matches, so its historical numbers should be treated with some caution. Recent ground records suggest a typical first-innings score of around 148 and a second-innings average of approximately 128. In a sample of 28 completed matches, chasing teams have won 19, compared to nine victories for teams batting first.

The highest T20 total at the venue is 255/2, scored by Haryana against Services in the 2024 SMAT. The highest successful chase in the available records is 177/7 by Himachal Pradesh. The surface has produced both high-scoring games and low totals, so the conditions can vary. A score around 165-175 should be competitive, while a total above 185 would give the batting-first side a strong chance.

Toss: To Bowl

The captain winning the toss may prefer to bowl first. Recent T20 records at the BKC venue suggest that chasing teams have enjoyed some success, although the sample size is not particularly large. With the match scheduled for the morning, conditions could also offer some assistance to the seamers early on. A good start with the ball could help the chasing side control the game.