Ranchi's Shikhar Mohan hits 143 in Ranji opener, tipped as India's next big batting star

Ranchi's new pride from Doranda

NEW DELHI: Shikhar Mohan hails from Doranda, a familiar corner of Ranchi known for its educational institutions, PG accommodations and its much-loved litti chokha stall, whose popularity extends beyond the city limits.

"Wo mandir ke paas wala shop... kaafi famous hai ab (That stall near the temple is pretty famous now)," said the 21-year-old, referring to Bhola Litti, a popular eating joint he considers one of the best places for litti chokha.

But it is on the cricket field that the young left-hander is making the louder noise. Former India spinner and current Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) official Shahbaz Nadeem calls him a prodigious talent.

"Lambi race ka ghoda hai, alag hi talent hai (He is a long-term prospect with exceptional talent)," Nadeem told TimesofIndia.com.

A blistering start to the new season

Mohan, who has lived all his life in Doranda, is arguably the hottest cricketing talent in India right now. After an excellent debut season in 2025-26, in which he amassed 613 runs at an average of 55.73, including two centuries, he has begun the new campaign in rollicking fashion.

He smashed 143 in Jharkhand's opening Ranji Trophy match against Kerala at the Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur, helping the side reach 289 for 5 on the first day, according to prior coverage from October 11, 2026. The southpaw also made valuable contributions in the Duleep Trophy final for East Zone, scoring 85 and 52 in the two innings, and followed up with a solid 60 on a green top in Srinagar in the Irani Trophy, playing for Rest of India against defending Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir.

"The second season is always more important because the opposition knows more about you. Teams analyse your strengths and weaknesses, so you have to keep improving," Mohan told TimesofIndia.com on the eve of Jharkhand's match.

Guidance from Ishan Kishan and the coaching staff

Mohan admits he was a touch nervous on the morning of the Duleep Trophy final. Despite three weeks of training in Chennai, it was his first taste of a red-soil wicket. His state-mate and East Zone skipper Ishan Kishan guided him through the conditions, and the pair put on 94 for the fourth wicket in the first innings before adding 126 in the second.

"During the Duleep Trophy final in Chennai, Ishan bhai helped me understand which shots were appropriate for those conditions. For example, he told me there was no need to play the sweep shot in certain situations. He helped me understand what to play and what to avoid. That guidance made a big difference when I was building my innings," Mohan said.

He also credited two coaches for his development: current Jharkhand senior head coach Ratan Kumar and former Jharkhand veteran Ishank Jaggi, who was his Under-19 coach.

"Before facing a ball, I talk to myself. I remind myself to watch the ball and stay focused. That has helped me a lot. Jaggi bhai also helped me with this, especially when he was with the Under-19 team. I started concentrating more and focusing on one ball at a time. That approach has really helped me," he explained.

Building the technique

During the Ranji Trophy camp in Chennai, Mohan worked extensively on playing close to his body — an aspect he has relentlessly refined. He was selected for Jharkhand's Under-16 side at just 13 and has been a prolific run-getter at every age-group level, including back-to-back strong seasons in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy (623 runs in 2023-24, then 887 the following season).

"This season, I have concentrated on playing close to my body. I visualise myself playing within a box, keeping my shots close to my body. That has helped me a lot... For the first 40 balls, my focus is on playing close to my body," he said.

Eyes on a red-ball trophy

Mohan, who opens in all three formats, says his preparation differs by format. More than personal milestones, his focus is team success.

"More importantly, I want the team to do well. We reached the final last year, and I want us to go one step further. We have won the white-ball tournament (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy). Now, our plan is to win a red-ball tournament as well. I want to have another good season," he said.

He credited a 25-day pre-season camp in Chennai — training through the afternoon heat and a stint in the KSCA tournament — for his sharp start.

"We had a camp in Chennai for around 25 days before the Duleep Trophy. We trained during the afternoon in the Chennai heat. We also played in the KSCA tournament. Preparation has been on point," he said.