Rest of India batsman R. Smaran celebrates after scoring a century during the Irani Cup match against Jammu and Kashmir in Srinagar, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
| Photo Credit: IMRAN NISSAR
R. Smaran missed the landmark of 1000 runs in a Ranji Trophy season by just a half-century in the 2025-26 campaign. Disappointed as he was to not cross the elusive figure, it is clear that Smaran is on the right track.
On day three of the Irani Cup fixture against Jammu & Kashmir, a curtain-raiser to the Ranji campaign beginning on October 11, the 23-year-old from Bengaluru struck an exquisite 126 n.o. for Rest of India. He had also top-scored for RoI in the first innings with a contribution of 68.
“It’s a very good start for me this season. Before heading into the Ranji Trophy, it always feels good to go in with some volume of runs. The goal doesn’t change. It is to score 1000-plus runs in the Ranji Trophy and be on top in back-to-back seasons,” Smaran said after the day’s play.
Having had to bat with tailender Mukesh Choudhary for a majority of his runs on Saturday, the left-hander rates his seventh First Class ton as his best. “It’s right up there given the situation and because it’s an Irani Cup game. The situation also demanded a certain style of play,” he observed.
Published – October 03, 2026 08:04 pm IST
