New Delhi, Dec 23 (NationPress) Smaran Ravichandran has consistently shown a passion for not limiting himself to one format of cricket. At just 22, his ambition remains clear: to be an exceptional batter across all three formats of the sport.

"From the outset of my cricket journey, my focus has been on mastering all three formats, aiming to become a versatile player for my country. All my training and dedication during the off-season caters to enhancing my skills across the board, not just one specific format," shared Smaran in an exclusive chat with IANS.

"While I prioritize honing my skills for red-ball cricket to secure my place in Test matches, I also recognize the significance of excelling in the other formats. My ultimate aspiration is to represent India in all three formats, and my preparations are geared towards contributing to my team's success in each format," he added, as Karnataka gears up to defend their title in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy.

This ambitious statement is noteworthy, especially since succeeding in all three formats as a batter is a rarity in modern cricket due to the demanding schedules. However, Smaran's performance statistics support his claims. After a rocky start to his first-class career, he has emerged as one of the most talked-about batters in Indian cricket, demonstrating an impressive ability to adapt to different formats.

He rose to prominence during last season’s Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he scored a remarkable 432 runs, including a pivotal century in the final. His Ranji season concluded with impressive scores of 203, 35 & 133 not out, alongside other notable performances.

In the final of the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Vidarbha in Vadodara, Karnataka faced early difficulties on a pitch that was favorable for batting. Yet, in his debut senior final, Smaran seized the moment to make a significant impact.

"We were struggling at 67/3. I felt the wicket was good for batting, and we needed a solid partnership. Shrijith (who scored 78) and I formed a crucial partnership that helped us recover," he reminisced.

“With Abhinav (Manohar) finishing strong, we managed to post a competitive score of around 350. Lifting the trophy for Karnataka has always been a dream, and I’m thrilled that we achieved it. As defending champions in this Vijay Hazare Trophy, we aim to retain our title," he expressed.

Smaran proudly lists his century in the final as one of his top career highlights—not just for the runs, but for what it symbolized: Karnataka's first domestic trophy in five years and his arrival on a larger stage.

His first-class century, recorded at his home ground, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, is a close second. It came after a challenging start, making the achievement even sweeter.

Heading into the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, Smaran boasts 319 runs from seven innings at a striking rate of 158.70 during the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, despite the team not advancing to the knockout stages.

With ample time to transition from T20 to 50-over cricket, he prepared diligently upon returning to Bengaluru, working with his childhood coach Syed Zabiulla before participating in practice matches with the state team.

Outside of cricket, Smaran enjoys playing paddle and watching movies across various genres, particularly crime thrillers. He acknowledges that switching between formats has its challenges. The Ranji Trophy emphasizes endurance, while T20 cricket requires explosive, quick bursts of performance.

However, shifting from T20 to 50-over cricket is less daunting for Smaran. "In the Ranji Trophy, the focus is on staying at the crease for long durations. T20s demand rapid scoring and high intensity, requiring quick shifts in approach. Therefore, transitioning to the Vijay Hazare Trophy should be smoother compared to moving from Ranji to Mushtaq Ali, since both are white-ball formats," he clarified.

Smaran's brief experience with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in this year’s IPL granted him the opportunity to learn from some of T20's most explosive players. Although his time was cut short due to an injury sustained while practicing, he cherished the insights gained from discussions with players like Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan.

"Conversations with Klaasen and Ishan about their approaches to T20 have been invaluable. Klaasen shared tips on maintaining a solid base while hitting, which I aim to integrate into my game for continual improvement," he noted.

These insights are now part of his evolving game as he develops the skills necessary for modern white-ball cricket. Growing up idolizing Kumar Sangakkara and Michael Hussey, both known for their versatility across formats, Smaran has a clear vision of what it takes to succeed in cricket.

He recalls Sangakkara's epic 287 against South Africa, which came during a record 684-run partnership with Mahela Jayawardene, leaving him in awe of the focus and patience required for Test cricket. Smaran understands that mastering the ability to endure long innings is crucial for his development.

"There are still moments in Test matches where I need to work on my aggression. Patience is a vital aspect of Test cricket, and I am continually striving to occupy the crease without losing focus. It’s easier said than done, but it's something I must consistently work on," he added.

While his cricket career progresses, Ravichandran is equally committed to his education. He is currently pursuing an MBA in finance at Ramaiah University in Bangalore, having completed his B.Com degree, a balance encouraged by his parents.

"They have been incredibly supportive of my cricket journey, allowing me the freedom to pursue my passion alongside my studies, especially given the unpredictable nature of sports in our country," he explained.

Are his parents content with his cricketing advancements? Not quite. "The answer is no because they believe I still have a long journey ahead. My mother often reminds me about my performance in the last two matches of the Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which keeps me motivated to improve," he shared.

Interestingly, Smaran's cricketing journey commenced with a decision by his mother to find an engaging activity for her energetic son. This led to his enrollment in a local cricket coaching academy, igniting a passion that would shape his future.

Initially an all-rounder who bowled off-spin, Smaran has shifted focus more towards batting as he has matured. "I still bowl off-spin but less frequently. Until I was about 14 or 15, I played as an all-rounder. However, as I grew, maintaining accuracy in my off-spin became challenging. I aim to improve my skills in both batting and bowling since versatility is becoming increasingly vital in the game," he stated.

Smaran has represented Karnataka at various levels, making his under-19 debut at just 15 and excelling in under-16 cricket. This early success fueled his ambition to represent India at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup but was thwarted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Upon the sport's return, Smaran missed the opportunity to participate in the tournament won by India. "I had set my sights on the Under-19 World Cup, but that didn’t materialize. However, I recognized that playing for Karnataka at the senior level and competing in the Ranji Trophy became my primary goal," he reflected, maintaining a positive outlook.

This pivot turned into an opportunity, allowing him to break into the senior Karnataka team. "I’m thankful for having made my debut last year, and I’m focused on advancing from here. Winning more tournaments with Karnataka and any team I play for remains my ultimate aspiration," he emphasized.

For Smaran, personal achievements are secondary; the team’s success takes precedence. Witnessing Karnataka's triumphs under Vinay Kumar's leadership has instilled in him a clear understanding of the expectations from the present players.

"To lift the trophy for Karnataka, whether in whites or any format, has always been a dream. Restoring Karnataka to its former glory is my top priority. We hope to bring home multiple trophies in the ongoing season, and that remains our goal, regardless of individual accolades," he concluded.