6 players who could receive national call-up after Ranji Trophy 2018/19

As cricket is highly popular in India, the BCCI holds various domestic tournaments every year to find new talents. Out of all such domestic tournaments, Ranji Trophy is the most reputed one in the history of Indian cricket. The players who perform well in the Ranji Trophy have the highest chances of receiving the call-up to the national team.

Vidarbha are the current champions while Mumbai has emerged as the most successful team in the history of the Ranji Trophy by winning the title 41 times.

Presently the 85th season of Ranji Trophy is underway and the tournament will end in February 2019. As it is the biggest platform to receive the national call, here are the top 6 players who could get it after the 2018/19 season -

#6 Rajneesh Gurbani

Rajneesh Gurbani became only the second bowler to take a hat-trick in the final of Ranji trophy

Rajneesh Gurbani has always remained as the cornerstone for Vidarbha since he made his debut on 26 October 2016 during the 83rd season of Ranji tournament.

Gurbani has just played 2 Ranji seasons in his career yet has many records to his name. He is one of the only two bowlers to take a hat-trick in the final of Ranji trophy. He achieved this feat in the year 2017 and led his team to its first title and won the man of the match award in the final. Apart from this, he was also the leading wicket-taker for Vidarbha with 39 wickets in just six matches.

Rajneesh is currently playing his 2nd season for Vidarbha and has the highest chance to receive the national call-up after this season if he keeps up his impressive form.

#5 Nitish Rana

Rana replaced Gambhir as Delhi's captain

Nitish Rana has remained as the most consistent batsman for Delhi in the domestic championships. He is primarily a left-handed batsman who can also chip in with his right-arm off break. Rana has so far played for Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League. Considering his consistency, he was declared as the captain of Delhi in 2018 replacing Gautam Gambhir.

Rana made his first-class debut during the 2015-16 Ranji trophy and from there, he has never looked back. He ended the tournament with 557 runs in his name at a blistering average of 50.63 and was the leading run-scorer for Delhi that season. He has the unique combination of aggressiveness and maturity in his batting.

Owing to his consistent form, he could get the national call for India after the 85th season of Ranji trophy.

#4 Krishnappa Gowtham

Since his IPL success, he has played for India A

Karnataka's Krishnappa Gowtham is an all-rounder who can turn the game with his batting and bowling. The IPL fans witnessed a Gowtham special when he clinched the match for Rajasthan Royals with his heroic innings during IPL 2018.

The 2016-17 Ranji trophy became the game changer for him as he picked up 2 consecutive 5-wicket hauls against Delhi and Assam. Later on, he registered his all-time best figures of 7 for 108 and proved his worth. He also scored his maiden first-class century for Karnataka during the 2017-18 Ranji trophy while playing against Assam.

Considering his talent, he has the potential to become the next big thing in Indian cricket with his all-round exploits.

#3 Navdeep Saini

Navdeep Saini was the leading wicket-taker for Delhi during the 2017-18 Ranji trophy

Navdeep Saini has remained as one of the most prominent bowlers for Delhi in the domestic tournaments. He made his Ranji debut in the year 2013 and after that; he has remained as the most consistent bowler for his side.

He became the leading wicket-taker for Delhi during the 2017-18 Ranji season. Saini grabbed 34 wickets in just 8 matches and acted as the main bowling pillar for his side. Apart from this, he also holds the record of the leading wicket-taker for Delhi in 2018-19 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Navdeep was also the part of the 15 member India C squad for the 2018-19 Deodhar trophy.

Although he gained his maiden national call-up after being included in India’s Test squad for the one-off Test match against Afghanistan he didn’t make it to the playing XI.

#2 Suryakumar Yadav

Suryakumar Yadav has been unlucky to not have got a call-up so far

Suryakumar Ashok Yadav has always remained as the star first class batsman with his mature batting displays but has been unlucky not to receive the national call. He is an aggressive right-handed batsman and who also bowls a bit of medium pace when called upon for Mumbai.

Suryakumar Yadav made his first-class debut against Delhi in the year 2010. He had an outstanding beginning to his career as he scored a fifty in his debut match. After that, he has become a regular member for Mumbai and has performed exceptionally well in every season. He was also a member of India C’s squad for Deodhar trophy 2018.

#1 Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan holds the record of the highest individual score by a player for Jharkhand in Ranji trophy

Since 2014, Ishan has played first-class cricket for his home side, Jharkhand. If he plays well in the current season just like the previous ones, he could become the next big thing to have come through the ranks and play for India.

In spite of being just 20 years old, he has plenty of records to his name already. He holds the record of the highest individual score by a Jharkhand player in Ranji Trophy. He achieved this feat when he scored a mind-boggling 273 runs against Delhi in the 2016 Ranji Trophy.

Apart from this, he was also the leading run-scorer for his side in 2018-19 Vijay Hazare trophy with 405 runs in just 9 matches. He has so far played for Gujarat Lions and Mumbai Indians in IPL and has emerged as a class batsman for his side.