Himachal Pradesh vs Services, SMAT Elite, 2025, Today Match Prediction 28 November 2025

HPH vs SER Match Prediction & Analysis

Himachal Pradesh and Services meet in an Elite Group C fixture of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26 on November 28, 2025, at 1:30 PM IST at the Gymkhana Ground, Hyderabad. As one of India’s most competitive domestic T20 tournaments, the SMAT demands sharp execution, making every group-stage game crucial for qualification.

Both sides enter this contest under pressure after losing their opening matches of the season. Himachal Pradesh currently sit 7th in the group with 0 points and a –3.710 NRR, having struggled to find rhythm with both bat and ball. Services fare even worse, placed 8th with 0 points and a –5.540 NRR, reflecting issues in restricting runs and building partnerships. Head-to-head momentum also leans slightly towards Himachal, who lead 3–2 across the last five encounters.. With both teams desperate to register their first win of the season, this clash at Hyderabad promises a tight, high-stakes battle for early survival in Group C.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Himachal Pradesh Preview

Himachal Pradesh arrive in Hyderabad for this fixture under pressure to revive their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26 campaign after a disappointing start. They currently sit 7th in Elite Group C with 0 points and a –3.710 NRR, having suffered a heavy defeat in their opening match. The challenge now is to quickly rebuild momentum and stabilise both departments before the group stage slips away.

Their recent run of form has been inconsistent. Himachal managed only 2 wins in their last 5 games, a pattern extending from the previous season, where they finished 6th in their group with 12 points. Although capable of strong performances—such as their eight-wicket win over Manipur and a tight three-wicket finish against J&K—they have also faltered in key pressure situations. Their losses to Haryana, Delhi, and Jharkhand highlighted issues in middle-overs control and death-overs execution.

Despite the mixed team outcomes, Himachal possess impactful individual performers. Nikhil Gangta has been exceptional with the bat, scoring 121 runs in 3 matches at an average of 121 and a blistering 180.59 strike rate, making him their most reliable top-order option. Mayank Dagar offers valuable all-round balance—157 runs in 10 matches at 31.4 avg with the bat and 12 wickets at a strike rate of 18.91 with the ball. Arpit Guleria, with 8 wickets in 7 matches at an impressive 6.77 economy, further strengthens their bowling core.

In terms of head-to-head history, Himachal hold a slight advantage over Services, leading 3–2 across their last five meetings, including a 19-run win in their most recent clash. This gives them a psychological edge heading into this encounter. With strong individual talent and a favourable recent record, Himachal Pradesh have the tools to compete strongly in this game against Services.

Key players: Nikhil Gangta, Mayank Dagar, Arpit Guleria, Pukhraj Mann

Himachal Pradesh Predicted Playing XI:

Innesh Mahajan (wk), Ankush Bains (c), Pukhraj Mann, Ekant Sen, Nikhil Gangta, Mridul Surroch, Mayank Dagar, Rahul Chauhan, Vaibhav Arora, Aryaman Singh

Services Preview

Services enter this clash against Himachal Pradesh looking to revive their Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025–26 campaign after a difficult start. They currently sit 8th in Elite Group C with 0 points and a steep Net Run Rate of –5.540 following a heavy defeat in their opening match. Playing away in Hyderabad, they face immediate pressure to correct early mistakes and bring their season back on track.

In their opening game this season, Services suffered a tough defeat after Gujarat won the toss and opted to field at the Gymkhana Ground. Services posted 182/9, built on Gaurav Kochar’s 60 off 37 and Arun Kumar’s 29 off 22, but lacked late-innings acceleration. Their bowlers struggled to contain Gujarat’s chase as Urvil Patel smashed an unbeaten 119 off 37, guiding Gujarat to 183/2 in just 12.3 overs for an eight-wicket win.

Their recent form has been uneven, with Services managing only 2 wins in their last 5 competitive outings. This inconsistency mirrors their previous season, where they finished 5th in Group E with 8 points and an NRR of 0.037. Mohit Ahlawat has been their standout batter, scoring 396 runs in 10 matches at 39.6 avg and an explosive 165.69 strike rate, making him central to their top-order success. Vineet Dhankhar, with 179 runs in 9 matches at a 136.64 strike rate, offers crucial middle-order acceleration.

Their bowling unit is anchored by Pulkit Narang, who has taken 10 wickets in 8 matches at a 7.83 economy and 13.1 strike rate, and Mohit Rathee, who provides additional control with 9 wickets in 10 matches at an 8.14 economy. Head-to-head history slightly favours Himachal, with Services trailing 2–3 across the last five meetings. However, Services will believe they can challenge Himachal Pradesh and keep their campaign alive.

Key players: Mohit Ahlawat, Vineet Dhankhar, Pulkit Narang, Mohit Rathee

Services Predicted Playing XI:

Gaurav Kochar, Harsh Vardhan, Abhishek Tiwari, Mohit Ahlawat (c)†, Vineet Dhankhar, Arun Kumar, Nakul Sharma, Jayant Goyat, Pulkit Narang, Mohit Rathee, Vishal Gaur

Weather Conditions

The weather on the match day at Gymkhana Ground, Hyderabad is expected to be warm and clear throughout the day. The temperature will range between a high of around 31°C and a low of 20°C. No rain is expected, and humidity may rise slightly in the evening, bringing in light dew. Excellent conditions overall for an uninterrupted T20 contest.

HPH vs SER Pitch Report

The venue of the match is Gymkhana Ground, Hyderabad, one of the older cricket facilities in the city known for hosting domestic tournaments and warm-up fixtures. While modest in capacity compared to major stadiums, it remains a key venue in Hyderabad’s cricketing structure. It has regularly hosted Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy games and provides an intimate viewing experience for spectators.

Toss: To Bowl

At the Gymkhana Ground, Hyderabad, teams batting second have historically enjoyed better success due to the pitch easing out under lights and the smaller boundaries coming into play during the chase. Dew often becomes a factor in evening games, making it harder for bowlers to grip the ball. The team winning the toss should elect to bowl first.