Shikhar Mohan earns maiden India A call-up for New Zealand tour

RANCHI: 21-year-old Jharkhand opener Shikhar Mohan has earned his maiden call-up to the India A squad for the upcoming four-day series against New Zealand A, marking a rapid ascent in domestic cricket. The left-handed batter will join the squad in Christchurch for the final two matches of the series, replacing wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, who is scheduled to join the main India ODI squad after the opening fixture.

Mohan’s selection arrives just a year after his first-class debut and after playing only 12 red-ball matches. His inclusion in the national probationary setup follows a string of notable performances in the domestic circuit. He was a key contributor to East Zone’s Duleep Trophy triumph—their first title in nearly 14 years—before producing a crucial innings for Rest of India against Jammu and Kashmir in the Irani Cup on a seaming surface in Srinagar.

The news of the selection prompted an emotional exchange between Mohan and his long-time coach, Ratan Kumar. "I went silent for a little while. It felt good," Kumar recalled, noting that Mohan called him directly to share the news, saying, "Sir, my name has come in India A squad". Mohan’s father, Suraj, also reached out to the coach to share the family's joy. Kumar, who has mentored the batter since his under-14 days, admitted the call-up was not entirely unexpected given Mohan's consistency and the fact that selector RP Singh had recently watched him play in the Duleep Trophy.

Mohan’s departure leaves a noticeable vacancy at the top of the Jharkhand batting order for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season. However, Kumar views this transition as a catalyst for the state's domestic circuit. "The other boys will get an opportunity. Shikhar was also given an opportunity and he performed," Kumar observed, emphasizing the challenge of preparing the next player.

This development highlights the growing depth of Jharkhand cricket, with Mohan joining state-mates Ishan Kishan, Kumar Kushagra, and Anukul Roy in the broader national setup. Notably, Kushagra is also part of the India A squad for the New Zealand tour. The state's cricket administration has been actively investing in grassroots facilities, creating a competitive environment that is now yielding national-level talent.

Mohan will continue training with his Jharkhand teammates in Ranchi until Saturday before flying to New Zealand. As he steps onto the international stage, his journey from age-group cricket to the India A setup in less than a season underscores the effectiveness of the state's grassroots development and the keen eye of the national selection committee.