Srinagar, Oct 4: At just 21, Shikhar Mohan found himself sharing a dressing room with some of the biggest names in Indian cricket. For the young Jharkhand batter, the Irani Cup in Srinagar was not merely another first-class match, it was an opportunity to test himself alongside and against players he had grown up watching.
And Mohan made sure the occasion did not overwhelm him.
The left-hander made a composed 60 in Rest of India’s first innings against Jammu and Kashmir at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, showing the temperament and technique that have made him one of the promising young batters on the domestic circuit.
His second innings ended early, but the impression had already been made.
For Mohan, however, the bigger takeaway from the Irani Cup was the experience of being around established India players like Rishabh Pant, Sarfaraz Khan and Mukesh Kumar and others.
“Sharing the dressing room with players like them is a great learning experience,” Mohan told Greater Kashmir after the match.
The young batter believes there is little point in making grand statements away from the field. His preferred way of communicating is with the bat.
“I don’t believe in talking much. I just want to perform whenever I get an opportunity,” he said.
That approach is beginning to speak loudly.
Mohan’s numbers in domestic cricket already offer an indication of his potential. He averages around 54 in first-class cricket, while his List A average is around 55, remarkable numbers for a player still at the beginning of his senior career.
His recent performances in the Duleep Trophy final, where he scored 85 and 5 in the crucial final, further strengthen his credentials and showe that he can handle pressure when the stakes are high.
A left-hander with temperament
What stands out about Mohan is not merely the runs but the manner in which he constructs his innings. There is an element of calmness to his batting that belies his age.
Against J&K, Rest of India lost wickets around him, but Mohan remained composed and played his strokes according to the situation. His 60 came when the visitors needed someone to provide stability and showed that he could absorb pressure rather than being consumed by it.
The Irani Cup also gave him a close-up view of the standards required at the highest level of domestic cricket.
Batting alongside players with international experience, observing their preparation and sharing conversations inside the dressing room can be invaluable for a young cricketer.
For Mohan, it was another step in a journey that has already begun to attract attention.
His combination of a strong statistical record, left-handed batting option and temperament makes him a player worth watching as he develops through the domestic system.
At 21, there is still plenty of cricket ahead of him. But if his performances continue to do the talking, Mohan may not have to wait too long before his name becomes familiar beyond the domestic circuit.
He may not say much. For now, Shikhar Mohan is letting his bat do the talking.
