Bengaluru: Karnataka’s latest batting sensation R Smaran has received his maiden IPL call-up. The 21-year-old southpaw, the toast of Karnataka across formats last season, has been roped in by Sunrisers Hyderabad. The top-order bat replaces injured Australian spinner Adam Zampa in the former champions’ lineup.
Smaran, an age-group star in the state, is a blend of craft and elan. Last year, he led Karnataka to their maiden Col CK Nayudu Trophy U-23 title. The youngster cut his teeth across formats in the senior team the previous season.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!An elegant player, Smaran, scored 170 in six outings at a strike rate of 170 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament and played a key role in Karnataka reclaiming the Vijay Hazre Trophy. Smaran compiled 433 runs in seven innings, scoring two centuries and an equal number of half-centuries.
He also made a telling Ranji Trophy debut, scoring 516 runs, including a double century against Punjab. Speaking to TOI, as he prepared to join the SRH squad in Mumbai, where they face Mumbai Indians on Thursday, an elated Smaran said, “The call-up hasn’t sunk in yet. I knew my time will come and I’m glad it has come this season.”
Smaran, who went unsold, was called up by four teams – Lucknow Super Giant, Mumbai, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals – in the lead up to the auction last year. Recently, even the Royal Challengers Bengaluru had a look in and he even featured in a practice game for them.
Given the power-packed Sunrisers’ top order, Smaran is realistic about his chances. “I don’t have a lot of expectations in terms of game time, but what I’m looking forward to is having conversations with the great line-up of players and support staff. I want to get into their heads and learn,” Smaran said. Among the players Smaran is keen on interacting with are top-order batter Heinrich Klaasen and skipper Pat Cummins.
Manuja Veerappa is a sports and features writer with 19 years of ...
Read MoreManuja Veerappa is a sports and features writer with 19 years of experience. She has covered a repertoire including World Cups in cricket and hockey, Commonwealth Games and world championships in billiards and snooker among other major events. An alumnus of one of Bangalore's most prestigious institutions, Bishop Cotton Girls' School, she represented Karnataka in hockey at the national-level.
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