Bengaluru: Smaran aims for 1000 Ranji runs and Duleep Trophy success
Karnataka Star’s Ambitions for the New Season
R Smaran, the Karnataka batter, is focused on improving his game across all formats and achieving a significant milestone in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. Having been the highest run-scorer for Karnataka with 950 runs in the previous season, he aims to surpass the 1000-run mark this year. Smaran’s rise in cricket has been notable, especially after scoring twin centuries in his debut Ranji Trophy season in 2025.
The 23-year-old left-hander played a crucial role in leading Karnataka to their first Ranji Trophy final appearance in 11 years. Despite the pressure that comes with a high-scoring domestic year, Smaran is approaching the new season with a focus on the process rather than external expectations. He believes in taking each game as it comes and enjoying the experience of playing for his state.
Off-Season Preparation and Multi-Format Adaptability
Smaran emphasizes the importance of optimal off-season preparation due to the short window available between tournaments. He works with his childhood coach, Syed Zabiulla, whom he considers part of his family. Their training regimen includes simulating challenges faced during the Ranji Trophy, such as practicing on various wicket types, including red-soil and black-soil surfaces, and deliberately difficult pitches.
The batter highlights the need to quickly adapt between red-ball and white-ball cricket. He explains that switching from red-ball to white-ball is comparatively easier as it involves adding more scoring options. However, transitioning back to red-ball cricket requires patience and a focus on leaving deliveries outside the off-stump. Smaran’s off-season training helps his body and mind make these transitions smoothly, ensuring he is ready for the demands of each format.
Smaran’s versatility across formats is evident in his past performances. He was a driving force behind Karnataka’s 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy triumph, scoring 433 runs in seven innings, including two centuries and two fifties. In the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he was Karnataka’s leading run-scorer with 319 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 160.
He believes that while his technique remains consistent, his mindset changes depending on the format. For red-ball cricket, patience and respecting good spells are crucial for building an innings. For T20s, he is working on expanding his range of shots and improving his ability to take on bowlers from the first ball to contribute to high-scoring games, aiming for a strike rate of 170 or 180.
Smaran is also actively fine-tuning his technique against spin, recognizing its importance in domestic cricket, especially in the subcontinent. He is working on shots like the sweep and reverse sweep to unsettle spinners and force them to adjust their lengths and lines. He views these additional options as vital for scoring consistently and dominating quality spin bowling on turning tracks.
Duleep Trophy and Future Aspirations
The Duleep Trophy, set to begin at the BCCI’s CoE in Bengaluru later this month, is seen by Smaran as a crucial platform. For the second consecutive year, he has been selected for the South Zone team. He views this tournament as a vital launchpad to remain in contention for the national team, noting that runs scored there hold significant weight.
His time in the IPL with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), despite modest on-field returns of 19 runs across six matches, was a valuable learning experience. He expressed gratitude for being retained by SRH and highlighted the benefits of sharing a dressing room with experienced international players. Smaran aims to improve his T20 game further for the next IPL season.
Beyond individual milestones, Smaran’s primary motivation is to guide Karnataka to a different result in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season after falling short in the previous final. He has leadership ambitions, having captained Karnataka at the age-group level and being part of the Maharaja Trophy-winning side. He remains focused on consistent performance, believing that opportunities for higher honors will come if he continues to score runs.
Smaran’s goal for the season is to remain at the top of the scoring charts in the Ranji Trophy, a tough but not impossible task, as he aims to score 1000 runs this year.
Source: newindianexpress.com
Priya Menon 