Buzz in domestic cricket as Ranji season starts

Their preseason training camps and warm-up tournaments done, teams get into red-ball mode with the Ranji season set to start Wednesday. While the tournament fails to evoke interest among fans like IPL does, there are many talking points.

- Sanjjeev K Samyal

With Bihar's teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi looking to underline his red-ball credentials, Rishabh Pant’s expected return from injury in Delhi's second game, Karun Nair’s return to home state Karnataka, and Andhra signing up Kiwi coach Gary Stead all have ensured there is enough buzz around domestic cricket's blue riband tournament.

After taking IPL by storm, the 14-year-old Suryavanshi’s performances in Ranji Trophy will be keenly followed. The left-handed opener became the talk of world cricket after becoming the youngest centurion in men’s T20 cricket by cracking 101 off 38 balls for RR against GT in Jaipur in IPL 2025.

His hundred, which came off 35 deliveries, is the second-fastest in IPL history. Suryavanshi has also been named the Bihar vice-captain for the first two rounds of Ranji.