Let’s find some players whose performance could help them come close to the Indian team in this Ranji Trophy season.
The Ranji Trophy for the 2024/25 season will start on Friday (October 11), with several quality players in action. This fresh season will present an opportunity for several players to make consistent performances and press a case for selection to the national team.
The competition in the national team is intense, so players have to perform almost every time to stay in contention. Several players are close to selection and must perform in their respective departments to break the door.
Let’s find some players whose performance could help them come close to the Indian team in this Ranji Trophy season.
Among the most impressive young players in the country, Sai Sudharsan has been in fine form lately, scoring runs everywhere. He has 1526 runs at an average of 37.21, including four fifties and five centuries, in 41 First Class innings.
Recently, he scored a terrific ton against India A in the Duleep Trophy, showing his class and technique. If he continues performing similarly, he will soon knock on the door and press his case hard in the red-ball team.
The opening slot in the Indian team is congested, for several quality players are in contention, probably ahead of Ruturaj Gaikwad. Even his recent form in red-ball cricket hasn’t been convincing enough.
However, his technique is solid, and he averages 42.25, including 12 fifties and six centuries, in 56 First Class innings. The upcoming Ranji Trophy season will allow him to improve his game and go ahead in the pecking order.
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After losing the BCCI’s central contract, Ishan Kishan is set to captain Jharkhand in the initial phase of the Ranji Trophy 2024/25. He will also have a chance to impress with the willow and reclaim his place in the national side.
At one time, he acted as a replacement for Rishabh Pant, but things went downhill for him, and even though he has done well in patches since his return, selectors would expect more before re-including him. Given he can also keep wickets, Kishan will surely be one of the options in the wicketkeeper-batter section if his performances are noteworthy.
Nitish Kumar Reddy has made a terrific start to his India career, scoring a fifty in just his second T20I. But he has also the capability to be a solid red-ball player, for his skillsets are too good.
He also featured in the recently concluded Duleep Trophy, even though he couldn’t churn out desirable performances. Given he is a pace-bowling all-rounder, Nitish’s performances will be closely monitored, and if his progress is good enough, he can be fast-tracked to higher levels.
Tanush Kotian has been creating ripples in red-ball cricket lately with both bat and ball. He is an off-spinner who is also a more than handy batter in the lower order.
Given Ravichandran Ashwin is ageing, the team will surely look at the options in the domestic circuit, and Tanush will be one on the radar. His recent performances have been mighty impressive, and he hopes to continue it in the prestigious Ranji Trophy.
There’s obvious potential in Manav Suthar and his craft. Manav is a left-arm finger spinner who is mighty accurate, making him an ideal successor for Ravindra Jadeja.
Overall, he has 77 First Class wickets at 27.41 runs apiece, including five four-wicket and four five-wicket hauls. Given Jadeja’s issues with injuries lately, Manav must be among the players to replace him, and if he can perform similarly in the Ranji Trophy, he will make his case stronger.
There have been talks of including Arshdeep Singh in the national setup in Tests. India have lacked a genuine left-arm pacer in their ranks, and given he showed the application to succeed in Test matches, Arshdeep can be a solid option in the coming times.
However, he would need to back his Duleep Trophy performances in the Ranji Trophy and press his case harder. Given his ability to swing the ball, he is surely ahead of other left-arm pacers, and if he continues to impress, a Test debut might not be too far.
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