I’m just staying in the present, says a pragmatic Smaran
Young cricketer R. Smaran has been named captain of the Karnataka team for the Ranji Trophy opener. Despite his recent rapid rise in the sport, he remains focused on staying in the present and leading his team to a championship title.
Why it matters
It highlights the development of emerging talent in the highly competitive Indian domestic cricket circuit.
Over the last two weeks, R. Smaran has lived life in the fast lane. In Devdutt Padikkal’s absence, he was named Karnataka skipper for the Ranji Trophy opener against Andhra.
After playing a match-winning hand for Rest of India in the Irani Cup, he was drafted into the squad for the upcoming India-A tour of New Zealand. And on Sunday in Mulapadu near here, the 23-year-old scored an excellent, back-to-the-wall century on captaincy debut.
Asked how he was processing all of this, Smaran said: “Even if there is time to process, I don’t want to think much of it. Just taking it as it comes and not keeping any expectations of playing or reaching any particular level. I am just staying in the present.”
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