Smaran Ravichandran Reflects on IPL 2026 Experience with Sunrisers Hyderabad
Smaran Ravichandran, currently captaining the Shivamogga Yodhas in the Maharaja Trophy 2026, has described his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 as a valuable learning experience. The left-handed batter featured in six matches for SRH but managed only 19 runs across four innings. Despite the modest returns, he emphasized that sharing the dressing room with star players like Ishan Kishan, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Pat Cummins broadened his understanding of the game.
Learning from SRH's Fearless Approach
Speaking to ANI, Smaran said, "I think it was a great experience just watching them go about the way they play. It really opened up my viewpoint of the game and the way they go about things and the way they represented their game and how they actually performed for the team when it mattered. It really inspired all of us to bat like them or just be like them. But yes, it was a very good learning experience for me. It was my first time playing in the IPL. It was something new, something that I got to learn from." He added, "I obviously didn't get off to the greatest starts in my IPL career. But that is always something to work on in terms of my T20 games and hopefully I can come back stronger next year."
Standout Ranji Trophy Season and KL Rahul's Influence
Smaran enjoyed a standout Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, finishing as the leading run-scorer with 950 runs in 14 innings at an average of 86.36. He also shared the Karnataka dressing room with India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, who featured in four matches for the state side. Smaran described Rahul as a highly respected senior player who has consistently performed at the highest level for India. He noted that Rahul's return to play for Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy provided a significant boost to their batting lineup.
"It was great sharing the dressing room with him. He is someone that everybody in the country looks up to as a senior pro. He has played at the highest level and done well for India multiple times and proved himself time and again. And obviously, him coming back to Karnataka and showing up for the Ranji Trophy was a boost for us in the batting line-up," Smaran said. He added that conversations with Rahul about batting and other aspects of the game helped Karnataka reach the Ranji Trophy final, where they ultimately lost to Jammu & Kashmir, who claimed their first-ever title.
Partnerships and Advice from KL Rahul
Smaran highlighted that his partnerships with Rahul in the middle boosted his confidence and allowed him to play with greater clarity. "And just having interactions and conversations with him regarding batting and other things really helped us as a team to reach the finals. And we both actually had a couple of partnerships out there in the middle and we batted a couple of times. And probably just having him at the other end gave me a lot of confidence to go about my game in a more clear manner," he said. Smaran further revealed that Rahul encouraged him to stay positive, attack the opposition, and put them under pressure from the outset. "He always told me to stay positive and take on the opposition and put them on the back foot straight away. And that is something that I did in those two innings and that really helped me. So, one advice that I would probably take from him is always stay positive in the crease. Have that energy going, probably those two," Smaran added.
Idolizing Kumar Sangakkara
Smaran also spoke about his cricketing idol, Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara, whom he has looked up to since childhood. Although he did not get the opportunity to meet or interact with Sangakkara during his time at SRH, Smaran continues to admire him. "Right through when I was growing up, Kumar Sangakkara was my idol growing up. I didn't meet him this year. I didn't interact with him during my time at SRH. He is someone that I always look up to, and I love to have a conversation with him. So, he would be someone that is my cricketing idol," he said.
Current Maharaja Trophy Campaign
Smaran-led Shivamogga Yodhas have endured a difficult start in the Maharaja Trophy 2026, sitting fifth in the six-team standings with only two wins from six matches so far. The team will look to turn around their fortunes in the remaining games.
