I don’t burden myself, focus on scoring as many runs: Smaran

At times, a 950-run season can hang around a batter’s neck like a millstone but Ravichandran Smaran has not overburdened himself with expectations and is keen for an encore to remain in national reckoning. Smaran was the highest run-getter in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, playing a vital role in Karnataka’s march to the final. He will launch his domestic campaign in the Duleep Trophy.

“I don’t worry about expectations or burden myself with the thoughts of expectations on me as it is all about scoring as many runs as possible,” Smaran said. “It is all about practicing and training well ahead of a season to be in the right mindset,” he added. But Smaran is keen to begin the new season on the right note, scoring heavily for South Zone in the Duleep Trophy to be played at the BCCI CoE.