Ravichandran Smaran credited his match-winning knocks of 68 and 135 in the Irani Cup against Jammu & Kashmir to years of age-group domestic cricket, saying that treating every match with equal importance was the key to staying composed under pressure. The left-handed batter from Karnataka was named Player of the Match as Rest of India sealed a convincing 167-run win at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar on 4 October, claiming their 31st Irani Cup title.

A match-defining performance

Smaran was the standout batter across both innings for Rest of India, rescuing his side from difficult positions on each occasion. His second-innings century proved decisive, with a crucial 113-run ninth-wicket partnership alongside Mukesh Choudhary pushing the total to a defendable level and setting Ranji Trophy champions J&K a target of 279 — one that ultimately proved well beyond their reach.

The knock was made all the more special by the presence of his parents and childhood coach Syed Zabiulla in the stands at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium.

What Smaran said at the post-match ceremony

'I think playing similar knocks a lot in back home in Karnataka, in the under-23s as well and some experience from there comes into when I went over here to bat. Obviously Mukesh was there with me, and he also played a very important part in that partnership. So I'm glad that we could get the win,' Smaran said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

On his mindset heading into a high-stakes match situation, the batter was emphatic: 'I don't think of it as a big game. I just treat every game the same and look to give my best each and every time I step out there. I'm glad that on two big occasions I could contribute to the team's success and we ended up on the winning side.'

Consistent approach across both innings

Asked whether his strategy shifted as the match hung in the balance, Smaran maintained that his approach remained unchanged throughout. 'Nothing much changed. The first innings also my approach was the same. It was just to play positive cricket and put pressure back on the bowlers and the second innings also I did it the same,' he explained. He added that the collective contributions from the lower order helped post a total substantial enough to defend in the fourth innings.

Strength outside off-stump

A broadcast graphic highlighting Smaran's scoring efficiency outside the off-stump drew attention during the match. The batter acknowledged it as a natural strength rather than a planned strategy. 'Outside off is my strength and anything that was loose outside off, I put it away for a boundary and I think that's the way the game goes,' he said.

What's next for Smaran

With the Irani Cup behind him, Smaran will now take on a leadership role, captaining Karnataka in their Ranji Trophy opening fixture against Andhra in Vijayawada on 11 October. His back-to-back match-saving knocks on the big stage will undoubtedly add considerable weight to his credentials heading into the red-ball domestic season.