Jharkhand cricketer Shikhar Mohan carries family dreams into new domestic season

Homecoming Celebration

Twenty-one-year-old Jharkhand batter Shikhar Mohan returned home to Ranchi with a medal around his neck after lifting the Irani Cup in Srinagar. He scored a vital sixty runs in the first innings against Jammu and Kashmir, who are the reigning Ranji Trophy champions. His family, neighbors, and residential society celebrated the victory, though his father Suraj kept his joy calm because they had already spoken on the phone.

Family Background

Suraj is an advocate by profession who once played as a fast-bowling all-rounder. He wanted to become a cricketer himself, but his strict father did not allow it, so he made sure Shikhar had complete freedom to pursue the sport. Suraj enrolled six-year-old Shikhar at the Ranchi Cricket Academy. Shikhar went on to represent his state at the Under-16, Under-19, and Under-23 levels before making his senior debut at age twenty.

Domestic Success

Shikhar made a triple-century in his third senior appearance and followed it with a hundred against Baroda in the next match, ending his debut season with six hundred and thirteen runs from eight matches. He then added scores of eighty-five and fifty-two in the Duleep Trophy final. He credits his success to his love for red-ball cricket, built through multi-day junior fixtures and a habit of analyzing his mistakes after getting out.

Idols and Mentors

Growing up in Ranchi, Shikhar followed Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, noting that Dhoni visits the stadium in Jharkhand to share helpful suggestions with the team. Shikhar has also received guidance from senior India players, including Ishan Kishan during Ranji and Vijay Hazare matches and Rishabh Pant during the Irani Cup.

Context

Domestic cricket tournaments like the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, and Irani Cup form the backbone of India's red-ball cricket structure, serving as the main pathway for young players to reach the national team. Young batters who score heavily in their debut seasons often face tougher challenges in their second year as opposing teams study their strengths and weaknesses closely.