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In a significant move during the Indian Premier League 2025 season, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have named 21-year-old Smaran Ravichandran as a replacement for the injured Australian spinner Adam Zampa. Ravichandran signed for a base price of INR 30 lakhs in the IPL 2025 mega auctions is deemed as the new young sensation of Karnataka cricket.
SRH’s decision to back a relatively unknown name reflects the franchise’s belief in nurturing fresh talent. Smaran might not yet be a household name, but his performances in the domestic circuit and his ability to play attacking cricket under pressure have earned him this golden opportunity. A versatile cricketer with a hunger to prove himself.
Smaran Ravichandran’s early life and his domestic cricket journey
Born on May 5, 2003, in Mysuru, Karnataka, Smaran’s introduction to cricket was unconventional. As a mischievous child, his parents enrolled him in cricket training at the Vultures Cricket Club to channel his energy productively. Initially indifferent, Smaran’s interest in the sport grew as he admired left-handed batters like Kumar Sangakkara and Michael Hussey.
Smaran’s early promise was evident when he scored a hundred, a double century, and a triple century in a 2018 Under-16 KSCA inter-club tournament. His formal cricketing journey began at Syed Zabiulla’s Academy in Bengaluru’s JP Nagar, where he honed his skills and developed a strong foundation.
Making his first-class debut for Karnataka in October 2024, Smaran quickly made an impact. In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season, he amassed 516 runs in 10 innings at an impressive average of 65.57, including a standout double century against Punjab.
His List A performances were equally notable. In the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Smaran scored 433 runs in 7 innings at an average of 72.17 and a strike rate of 100.23. His century in the final, where he scored 101 off 92 balls, earned him the Player of the Match award and solidified his reputation as a clutch performer.
Smaran’s impact in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024-25 and local leagues
Smaran Ravichandran rose to prominence with a stellar run in the 2024 Maharaja T20 Trophy, where he dazzled with the bat. Over nine innings, he amassed 302 runs at an impressive average of 43.14 and a brisk strike rate of 145.19, which included two half-centuries and a blazing century—cementing his status as one of the tournament’s breakout stars.
His exploits in the competition paved the way for his domestic debut across all formats for Karnataka. Since then, Smaran has gone on to represent his state in seven First-Class matches, ten List A games, and six T20s, steadily building a solid domestic resume.
Smaran’s T20 debut came in the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he showcased his aggressive batting style. In six matches, he scored 170 runs at an average of 34 and an impressive strike rate of 212.
One of his most memorable performances was against Tripura, where he scored 57 off 31 balls, leading Karnataka to a successful chase of 186 runs. His innings earned him the Player of the Match award. In another match against Sikkim, Smaran’s quickfire 19 not out off just 7 balls helped Karnataka secure a dominant victory, highlighting his ability to finish games effectively.
Smaran a year before was also a part of RCB franchise but didn’t get a chance to flourish. His journey from local cricket academies to the IPL exemplifies the rich talent pool present in Indian domestic cricket. Smaran signing with Sunrisers Hyderabad not only fills a crucial gap left by Zampa but also heralds the arrival of a new talent ready to make his mark on the international stage.
