A Transition Bearing Fruit: How Jharkhand’s red-ball vision shone through in Duleep Trophy 2026 final

Ishan Kishan (left) led the way for East Zone with his talismanic 270 and 80, and was ably supported by twin fifties from Shikhar Mohan. | Photo Credit: RAGU R

When East Zone won its second Duleep Trophy in 2012/13, there were two players from Jharkhand – Ishank Jaggi and Saurabh Tiwary – in the playing XI. Fourteen years later, as East Zone secured its third Duleep title, that number has jumped to an impressive five, while the side was marshalled by Ratan Kumar, the current Jharkhand coach.

More notably, all five – captain Ishan Kishan, Anukul Roy, Shikhar Mohan, Kumar Kushagra, and Md Kounain Qureshi – made important contributions as East Zone dominated South Zone in the sweltering Chennai heat.

Kishan led the way with his talismanic 270 and 80, ably supported by twin fifties from Mohan and a century from Kushagra. Anukul notched scores of 45 and 64, despite batting with a finger injury, and Qureshi sent down 40 overs with the ball before scoring his maiden First-Class ton.

“It’s always important when players do well for the state, play Duleep Trophy, and then do well there as well,” reflected Shahbaz Nadeem, former India and Jharkhand cricketer who is now Joint-Secretary of the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA).

“As an association we feel that we’ve been able to do something good for our players.”

The roots of that success were visible in Jharkhand’s quarterfinal run in the Ranji Trophy last season, where it topped its group featuring defending champion Vidarbha, as well as its success in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

East Zone Jharkhand players in Ranji Trophy 2025-26

Shikhar Mohan – 613 runs at 55.72

Kumar Kushagra – 572 runs at 47.66

Ishan Kishan – 246 runs at 82

Virat Singh – 508 runs at 42.33

Anukul Roy – 180 runs at 20 and 29 wickets at 23.51

Nadeem, who, alongside former Jharkhand teammate Saurabh Tiwary, has been serving as an administrator in JSCA, explained that a clear focus had been placed on the development of the red-ball team.

“It was very important to us. Our team was in a transition phase, because all of the previous seniors like myself, Saurabh, Ishank Jaggi, Ashish Kumar, Varun Aaron, all retired within the span of one or two years. When the new red-ball team was formed, we were focussed on doing well because it’s the ultimate form of cricket,” he explained.

“We started the preparations early, first identifying players for red-ball and white-ball cricket. When we did that, we were able to clearly tell them which format they were being looked at for, and as players they were also able to prepare accordingly.”

That early clarity enabled players to make use of the facilities which were also made available for red-ball practice. “We told players that they could come to stay and practice at the academy in Ranchi at any time. Any player in the scheme of things for the Ranji Trophy team could come to stay and practice regularly,” Nadeem said.

“They had regular coaches and trainers looking after them. Those small things needed to do well were what we chose to focus on.”

Ratan, who also represented Jharkhand as a player, hailed the impact Nadeem and Tiwary had made as administrators, saying, “They have trusted us which has created a good atmosphere, and Jharkhand cricket is systematically rebuilding itself.

“When you have top-tier former players at the helm, you don’t have to waste time explaining basic cricketing needs – they already know what it takes to succeed at the highest level.”

Two products of this development are Mohan and Kushagra. The 21-year-old Mohan – Jharkhand’s top scorer in last year’s Ranji Trophy with 613 runs – notched scores of 85 and 53 in the final, while Kushagra – who was named in the India A squads against Australia A – scored a ton in the first innings.

Having coached both players from the U-16 level onwards, Ratan was full of praise for both batters, saying, “They’ve been working from the U-16 level. They’re very smart cricketers who are putting in so much effort, so the work of a coach becomes much easier! We just have to find a path for them, and they work on that. Now in the Duleep Trophy they’re going along shoulder-to-shoulder with senior players.”

Md Kounain Qureshi was selected for the Duleep Trophy based on his displays at youth level as well as his impressive showing for Jamshedpur Steelers at the recently concluded Jharkhand Premier League. | Photo Credit: R RAGU

Qureshi’s selection was a more curious one on the surface. The all-rounder was called into the East Zone squad as a replacement for Shahbaz Ahmed ahead of the semifinal, with no First-Class caps to his name, but showed impressive control and economy with the ball before peeling off a ton in just his fourth FC innings.

Ratan said that the 23-year-old – who has attended trials with Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals – was selected based on his displays at youth level as well as his impressive showing for Jamshedpur Steelers at the recently concluded Jharkhand Premier League.

“He has a very bright future, and he really proved himself in a tough situation,” the East Zone coach said. “There were quite a few left-handers in the other team, so we were looking for an off-spinner who could play a role like Shahbaz does and Kounain was the best option for us.”

For all of the promising young talents, what has shone brightest is Kishan’s impact. Having captained Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy last year, he has added a red-ball tournament to his captaincy credentials, alongside a formidable win-loss record in the longer format (he has won nine and drawn seven of the 16 First-Class games he has led).

“When Ishan is on the field, the coach can sit back and feel completely relaxed. He commands the field exceptionally well – he knows how to captain the group, how to extract the best out of youngsters, and exactly what to say at important moments,” explained Ratan. “That makes the coach’s job so much easier. His mere presence brings a completely different energy.”

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Nadeem echoed those sentiments. “As a leader, he is always among everyone. He shares with everyone, there is a fun environment. He doesn’t put any pressure on the players. I think as a player you feel the impact of that.

“When your captain is with you and your environment is relaxed, you just have to play as per your temperament and there is no outside pressure. The performances come themselves.”

With so many players having started the domestic season in such fine form, and the possibility of Kishan being available for more of the season again, hopes will be high for Jharkhand’s red-ball prospects this year, though both Nadeem and Ratan offer a word of caution.

“Last year we reached the quarterfinals with a very young team. The team doesn’t have too much Ranji Trophy experience, it is in a transitional phase, but you can see the potential in the way the players perform. I’m hopeful that they will do well in the Ranji Trophy in upcoming seasons as well,” said Nadeem.

Ratan offered similar cautious optimism, saying, “For any coach, the ultimate goal is always to win the Ranji Trophy, but there is a process. We started that journey last year; we made it to the quarterfinals before losing. Building a title-winning side takes two to three years of groundwork.

“Whether success comes in the first, second, or third year, the process must continue. The youngsters are putting their hands up, while the seniors are leading with distinct authority and presence. I firmly believe Jharkhand will become an even better team over the next few years.”

Published on Sep 11, 2026

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