Too Good To Be Ignored By BCCI: The Unstoppable Rise of R Smaran Across Formats

R Smaran in Ranji Trophy [Source: X]

For Indian players, it is usual to gain national attention through standout performances in the Indian Premier League, which draws millions of viewers and showcases their skills against top international talent. However, the domestic tournaments have always been pioneers in this regard. Even for the star cricketers, domestic tournaments are considered the pinnacle of grinding during their poor form.

Ranji Trophy, India’s leading First-class competition, offers a certain kind of recognition that no one can ignore. The consistent displays throughout the season or crucial contributions during important matches like the semi-finals and final create a certain stature. The cricketers who manage to draw the attention of selectors through the Ranji Trophy are easily considered as players built for the long haul.

A masterclass in consistency

Karnataka's Ravichandran Smaran is one such name who has excelled in both arenas. Although his First-class career is still brief, he is undoubtedly one of the promising candidates for the national set-up, especially for the middle-order of the Test team.

Smaran has played only two full Ranji seasons so far, making his debut in Karnataka’s opening match against Madhya Pradesh in the 2024-25 season. Till date he has played a total of 16 First-Class matches. The 2024-25 season was not a fruitful one for Karnataka as they exited from the group stage, but young Smaran top-scored for them with 517 runs in the season. He scored two hundreds, including a double hundred in 10 innings, and maintained an average of 64.50 in his maiden Ranji season.

This season, Smaran has taken it a notch higher. His team, Karnataka are also delivering some dream performances, headlined by a "magic chase" against Punjab. They successfully hunted down 252 runs in just 28 overs and then secured a high-stakes victory over Mumbai in the quarter-finals. Smaran was in the thick of the action with already 950 runs to this name this season, including four hundreds and three fifties.

He is the highest run scorer in the Ranji Trophy this season and has a genuine chance of breaking the 1000-run barrier in a single Ranji season in only his second season, when he will come to bat against Jammu and Kashmir in the Final. Currently, he has 1,534 First-class runs with an extraordinary average of 76.70.

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From Ranji to IPL: Smaran's case for national selection

Smaran, a versatile left-handed batter who plays in the middle order, showcased his adaptability with twin centuries against Uttarakhand—scoring at strike rates of 62.50 and 85.23, depending on match requirements. His standout performance of the season was an unbeaten 83 in the quarter-final versus Mumbai, where he anchored a 147-run partnership with KL Rahul. Once Rahul was dismissed, he took the responsibility to guide his team to a successful chase of 325.

Smaran's journey continues to gain momentum, highlighted by his recent IPL contract with Sunrisers Hyderabad. His versatility for Karnataka, performing strongly across all three formats and boasting a remarkable T20 strike rate of 162.45 with an average of 48.90, underscores his growing reputation.

At 23, Smaran is demonstrating impressive maturity and situational awareness. With the national Test team in transition and a young captain in Shubman Gill, Smaran could help shape the future of the Indian cricket team. While he is expected to showcase his talent in the Indian Premier League, the national selectors should consider giving him opportunities to showcase his talent and composure by including him in upcoming A-team tours.

Should Smaran translate his Ranji Trophy dominance into a standout IPL season, his case will become undeniable. It will be hard for selectors to overlook his potential. With his talent and determination, Ravichandran Smaran is poised to not only become a mainstay in India's middle order but also a household name within the next few years.

Also Read: BCCI Locks Venue For Historic Karnataka vs Jammu And Kashmir Ranji Trophy Final