Is Shashi Tharoor Right to Celebrate ‘Under-Promoted Talent’ Ravichandran Smaran After His Latest Double Century?
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Synopsis
Shashi Tharoor has praised the talented Ravichandran Smaran, highlighting the need to recognize such promising players. Smaran's astounding unbeaten 227 in the Ranji Trophy showcases his incredible potential. Will his domestic success translate to IPL recognition? This article dives into his journey and remarkable achievements.
Key Takeaways
- Shashi Tharoor highlights the need for recognition of under-publicized talents in cricket.
- Ravichandran Smaran scored an impressive career-best of 227* against Chennai.
- Smaran's remarkable consistency includes two double centuries in three matches.
- He has a stellar first-class average of 78.6, showcasing his potential.
- His performances are attracting attention ahead of the upcoming IPL season.
New Delhi, Nov 18 (NationPress) Shashi Tharoor has lauded Karnataka’s up-and-coming batting sensation Ravichandran Smaran, emphasizing his remarkable domestic performances while highlighting the unfortunate reality that talents like him often go unnoticed.
In a match played in Hubli, Karnataka faced an early setback at 13 for 2, followed by 64 for 3, yet Smaran once again showcased his prowess, scoring a career-best unbeaten 227 off 362 balls against Chennai on Monday.
“Incredible. It is vital to spotlight such under-recognised talents. There’s no doubt he must shine in the IPL for the selectors to take notice!” Tharoor remarked on X, following the 22-year-old's impressive double century in the Ranji Trophy.
Smaran’s innings, embellished with 16 fours and two sixes, was the cornerstone of Karnataka’s substantial first-innings total of 547 for 8 declared. He received support from Karun Nair, who scored a solid 95 during a 119-run partnership, along with crucial contributions from Shreyas Gopal (62) and Shikhar Shetty (59).
This performance marked Smaran’s second double century in three matches and his third overall in first-class cricket, all within his initial 13 games. Previously, he had scored an unbeaten 220 against Kerala and 203 against Punjab in January.
With this latest achievement, he has climbed to fourth in the season's run-scoring leaderboard with 595 runs at an impressive average of 119, only behind Sanat Sangwan, Karun Nair, and Arman Jaffer.
Smaran’s ascent has been swift. A product of Karnataka’s youth system since the Under-14 level, he has accumulated 1,179 first-class runs at an astounding average of 78.6, which includes four centuries—three being double centuries. His List A statistics are equally remarkable: 433 runs at 72.16, all from Karnataka’s triumphant Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign in 2024–25. In T20 matches, he has scored 170 runs at a strike rate of 170.
Chosen as a replacement by Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2025 and retained for IPL 2026, Smaran has yet to debut, but his domestic performances continue to attract attention. His last 13 innings across formats read like a prodigy’s logbook: 76 in a VHT semifinal, a match-winning 101* in the final, a 203, 133*, 220*, and now this unbeaten 227.
Point of View
It is essential to recognize the emerging talents in our sports landscape. Ravichandran Smaran's performances underline the potential hidden within our domestic circuits. Players like him deserve the spotlight to inspire the next generation and ensure that our cricketing future remains robust and competitive.
NationPress
18/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ravichandran Smaran?
Ravichandran Smaran is a rising cricket star from Karnataka, known for his exceptional batting skills and impressive domestic performances.
What did Shashi Tharoor say about Smaran?
Shashi Tharoor praised Smaran for his remarkable achievements, emphasizing the need to recognize talents like him who often go unnoticed.
How many double centuries has Smaran scored?
Ravichandran Smaran has scored three double centuries in his first-class career, including two in his last three matches.
What are Smaran's statistics in first-class cricket?
Smaran has accumulated 1,179 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 78.6, including four centuries, with three being double centuries.
Is Smaran playing in the IPL?
Ravichandran Smaran has been picked as a replacement by Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL 2025 but has yet to make his debut.
