Photo via The Times of India

Shikhar Mohan, another boy from Ranchi, who is making himself count

Ranchi’s Shikhar Mohan is quickly establishing himself as one of India’s most promising young cricketers, building on a standout debut season in domestic cricket. The 21-year-old left-handed opener, who grew up in Doranda—a neighborhood known for its academic institutions—delivered another strong performance in the Ranji Trophy, scoring 143 against Kerala in his team’s opening match.

His consistency extended to the Duleep Trophy final, where he contributed 85 and 52 in East Zone’s victory, and the Irani Trophy, where he added 60 for Rest of India against Jammu & Kashmir. After a stellar first season in 2025-26 (613 runs at 55.73, including two centuries), Mohan has set ambitious goals for this campaign, aiming to replicate his form while helping Jharkhand win a red-ball tournament for the first time.

His disciplined approach, shaped by a rigorous 25-day training camp in Chennai before the Duleep Trophy, has drawn praise from figures like former India spinner Shahbaz Nadeem, who described him as a ‘long-term prospect with exceptional talent.’

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