Many Indian star cricketers failed to impress in the opener of the Ranji Trophy, but there was one player who took the cricket world by storm. Shikhar Mohan is the player in question. The 21-year-old youngster struck the first century of the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season on Sunday, anchoring a strong start for the hosts against Kerala at Keenan Stadium.
Mohan showed off his characteristic patience and elegant drives as his batting reached three figures with a clean six over wide long-on off veteran spinner Jalaj Saxena after spending time in the nineties. On the opening day of the Elite Group C encounter, the left-hander was unbeaten on 129, helping Jharkhand reach 228 for one in 61 overs. Utkarsh Singh provided solid support with a half-century of his own.
Who is Shikhar Mohan? 21-year-old Jharkhand opener records century against Kerala in Ranji Trophy
Meanwhile, Jharkhand won the toss and elected to bat on a surface expected to assist the seamers early. Mohan and opening partner Sharandeep Singh handled the new ball carefully before building a solid platform. Sharandeep was dismissed for 33, but Mohan remained on the pitch, punishing the ballers without mistake. His innings featured fluent cover drives and a calm temperament that has become his hallmark.
Kerala, looking to bounce back from a disappointing previous campaign, struggled to break the partnership. Experienced campaigner Jalaj Saxena eventually claimed the first wicket, but Mohan’s presence at the crease continued to frustrate the visitors. Later in the day, Jharkhand lost further wickets, closing in on a strong position with the total advancing past 250. Mohan’s rise reflects the depth of talent emerging from Jharkhand’s domestic setup. Meanwhile, following his stunning strike today, here is all you need to know about him.
Who is Shikhar Mohan?
Shikhar Mohan is a left-handed batter and represents Jharkhand in domestic cricket. He was born on May 18, 2005. The Ranchi-born batter continued his rich vein of form, and now everyone wants to know more about him. He had scored a crucial 60 in the Irani Cup earlier this month and registered back-to-back half-centuries in the Duleep Trophy, including an impressive all-round display in the final for East Zone. This latest hundred is his third in first-class cricket. Mohan’s rise reflects the depth of talent emerging from Jharkhand’s domestic setup.
The young opener made his Ranji Trophy debut last season and finished as Jharkhand’s highest run-scorer with 613 runs at an average of over 55, including a double-century against Nagaland and another hundred. Strong performances at Under-23 level had already marked him as a prospect, and his seamless transition to senior cricket has drawn increasing attention.
Mohan was featured in eight matches in his maiden Ranji Trophy season. He had replaced Virat Singh in the Duleep Trophy final for East Zone’s playing XI. However, he missed out on a deserving century. His recent red-ball appearance was against Uttarakhand in the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy ahead of the Duleep Trophy Final. He is well known for his stunning batting and strokeplay. For Mohan, the century marks another significant milestone in what is rapidly becoming a highly promising career.
Mohan has also played in seven List A matches in which he has recorded 391 runs. He has also averaged 55.72 in first-class cricket and 55.85 in List A cricket. Cricket fans in Ranchi and across Jharkhand will be watching closely as the young opener aims to convert his solid start into a substantial score and help his side begin the new Ranji season on a high note. With the domestic season underway, performances like Mohan’s serve as a reminder of the talent pool feeding Indian cricket. The left-hander’s ability to deliver under the pressure of the opening day of a new campaign will not go unnoticed by national selectors.
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