Shikhar Mohan, another boy from Ranchi, who is making himself count

Shikhar Mohan, a young cricket prodigy from Ranchi, is making waves in the Indian cricket scene. Hailing from Doranda, a region renowned for its educational institutions and famous litti chokha stall, Mohan has become the talk of the town in the cricketing world. Former India spinner and Jharkhand State Cricket Association official Shahbaz Nadeem has praised Mohan as a "prodigious talent" and a "long-term prospect with exceptional talent."

Mohan's debut season in 2025-26 was exceptional, with 613 runs at an average of 55.73, including two centuries. He kicked off the new season with a bang, scoring 143 runs for Jharkhand against Kerala at the Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur. Mohan has also contributed significantly in the Duleep Trophy final for East Zone, scoring 85 and 52 in both innings, and a solid 60 in the Irani Trophy for Rest of India against defending Ranji Trophy champions Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the media ahead of their match, Mohan expressed his ambition to replicate his performance from the previous season and push the team to win another red-ball tournament. He credits a 25-day camp in Chennai for his preparation, which included training under the scorching Chennai heat and playing in the KSCA tournament. Mohan's opener, Ishan Kishan, played a crucial role in his development by guiding him on shot selection for the specific conditions.

Mohan's innings in the Duleep Trophy final were significantly helped by Ishan Kishan's guidance on shot selection and avoiding pitfalls. Mohan admits to feeling nervous before the match, but Kishan's advice proved invaluable. Both Mohan and Kishan have been working closely to improve their batting techniques, with Mohan focusing on playing close to his body.