Mohit Ulva called up by Saurashtra for SMAT after No. 10 last-ball heroics in the Asia Cup finalमोहित उलवा को सौराष्ट्र की SMAT टीम में बुलावा, एशिया कप फाइनल में नंबर 10 से आख़िरी गेंद पर जीत दिलाने के बाद

Mohit Ulva has gone from finishing an Asia Cup final to a senior domestic T20 squad within a day. Saurashtra Cricket Association president Jaydev Shah said in remarks reported by Cricbuzz that Ulva is being added to Saurashtra's SMAT squad after his India Under-19 performance.

The innings that earned the call

India Under-19 beat Pakistan by 1 wicket in the Asia Cup final at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground in Muscat on 14 November 2026. Pakistan posted 337/9, and India were chasing 338. They had slipped to 252/8 when Ulva walked in at No. 10.

He finished unbeaten on 49 from 26 balls, with 5 fours and 3 sixes. India needed 3 from the last ball. Ulva hit Ahmed Hussain for four to take them to 339/9. A tail-ender turning a lost cause into a one-wicket win is the sort of finish that gets a player noticed quickly.

With the ball he opened the attack and returned 0/57 from 8 overs. It was not a day of wickets, but the batting more than changed the result.

What Saurashtra want him to do next

Shah said Ulva had been asked to fly directly to Indore to join the squad led by Jaydev Unadkat. The instruction to travel straight from the tournament suggests how quickly the decision was made.

SMAT gives Ulva a senior domestic T20 platform ahead of the IPL 2027 auction. Senior T20 cricket will test different things from the Under-19 final: tighter margins, more experienced batters and bowlers, and a game decided over twenty overs. He showed power and nerve in the chase, and he opened the bowling in the final. Whether either skill translates against senior opposition remains an open question.

Give the opportunity room to grow

Inclusion in the squad does not guarantee a place in the playing XI, and it does not amount to an IPL contract. The sensible next step is a clear role and time to develop against senior opposition. What the call-up does give him is a chance to be seen in senior colours while the Asia Cup final is still fresh. For now, it is a clear and well-earned opportunity for a young player whose most important innings so far came from the No. 10 position.