Smaran's Blistering Double Century against Punjab-A Tribute to Vijay Hazare Trophy's Effect on His Mental Approach to Batting

R. Smaran is the next star for Karnataka and his recent performances really say much about how far he has evolved as a player. He has passed through Vijay Hazare Trophy and Ranji Trophy and his mental strength and skills that have enhanced his game so far are indeed tremendous.

The double century he scored against Punjab in the Ranji Trophy at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is one of the highlights of his career. These runs came after a string of excellent knocks, including a 101 against Vidarbha in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and a 76 against Haryana in the same tournament. More than the runs, these are indicative of the transformation Smaran has undergone as a batter.

It was only much later in his First Class career that Smaran started showing runs. For his first five Karnataka matches, he had managed to accumulate a mere 145 runs. However, he really batted well during the Vijay Hazare Trophy, where he accumulated an impressive 433 runs from 10 matches at a batting average of 72.16. This explosion of runs told a tale of change in batting from Smaran, no more weighed down by the fear of failure.

"This win over us has changed his mindset so much," says one of his seniors about Smaran. "It was never in my mind to get a double hundred," said Smaran himself after his Ranji Trophy performance against Punjab. "I just looked to play ball by ball." This was the shift in focus-from being obsessed with milestones to playing one delivery at a time-that helped him succeed. Smaran had struggled initially in the Ranji Trophy, where runs were scarce, but the lessons he learned from his experiences in the Vijay Hazare Trophy were now paying off.

It was not only about the individual success but creating an environment of bonding and confidence in the Karnataka team. As per Smaran, it was a milestone that brought about a change in the morale of the team. "It made a big difference to my batting in terms of the mindset," he said, highlighting how collective success freed up himself and the other boys from playing under the weight of possible failure. That result was seen in the way they batted and went about the game in confident and fluid manners.

The mental shift Smaran experienced is an important one in cricket, and the psychological state of a cricketer is essential. Cricket can be one of the most psychologically demanding games and, in its own right, a player's attitude can be more important than the technical skills to play the game. For Smaran, winning the Vijay Hazare Trophy was a stimulus that allowed him to play from a place of calm and focus. It is not just about the runs; it is about the belief in oneself and the team, which was instrumental in Karnataka's success in both tournaments.

Going ahead, Smaran is aware that Karnataka's prospects in the Ranji Trophy will not only depend on their performances but also the outcome of other matches in Elite Group-C. However, for Smaran, external factors do not matter much as he is fixated on what he can control—his game. "We have to win both [Ranji Trophy] games [against Punjab and Haryana] to stand a chance.". He said, "We will just play some good cricket. The rest is not in our hands," showing maturity in understanding how unpredictable the game can be.

Smaran's story is a testament to the power of the mindset and what confidence plays in cricket. It is not so much about technique, but more so about how he has mastered handling the mental pressures of the game that leads from being a fighter for runs to someone who now has a double century to their name. In this regard, Smaran is sure to do wonders for the seasons to come.

As Karnataka continues its Ranji Trophy campaign, the testament of Smaran to everyone is inspiration in itself, proving that with the right mindset, even the most challenging periods in one's career can really be a 'breakthrough moment'.