R Smaran stands tall as experienced stars disappoint

Having been handed over the captaincy reins for the season opener in Devdutt Padikkal's absence, Smaran had to dig deep after Karnataka lost three wickets for just nine runs, and were soon reduced to 22-4. India's opening batter KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, and Karun Nair all fell for single digits within eight overs.

Smaran slowly rebuilt the innings with the help of Krishnan Shrijith (58); the pair added 111 for the fifth wicket. Wickets tumbled at the other end but Smaran kept his fight up, eventually crossing the three-figure mark off 186 balls.

He fell for 126, laced with 11 fours and a six, helping his side recover to 274 from a critical situation. Karnataka bowlers responded well by sending half the Andhra side back for 116 before Seeram Rahul and Revanth Reddy stitched an unbroken partnership of 70.

Smaran recently earned a maiden India A call-up for the New Zealand tour starting on October 26 in Lincoln on the back of an impressive Irani Cup performance. He made 68 in the first innings for Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir, and followed it up with an even better 135 in the second innings to set up a 167-run win.

Also read: Ranji Trophy 2026/27 round one, live updates: Shami, Rinku, Jadeja shine but Rahul, Jaiswal fail

Now 23, Smaran is hailed as one of the most promising talents in India, and his numbers back him. He has 1,945 runs from 21 first-class matches at 74.80, with a century every fourth innings. He has also done well in white-ball cricket, averaging 50.33 at strike rate of 96 in List A and averaging 39.07 at 156 strike rate in T20 format.

Follow Wisden for all cricket updates, including and more. Stay up to date with the , player updates, team standings .