The Ranji Trophy Round 3 is always unique in its own way as a part of the entire Ranji Trophy season. However, the 3rd Round of the 2025-26 season was more than just another typical domestic week in India’s first-class cricket; it was essentially a single round tryout to get a spot on the team that will head to South Africa for their Test Series beginning on November 14th. This Round allowed many of the regulars in India’s Test side to find some form of rhythm, a chance for those players who have been left out of the Test side (the “outsiders”) to possibly get their foot in the door with the team, and a last-ditch effort from players who are trying to make a comeback into the Test team to use every innings like a mini-personal referendum to prove they still belong.
Jaiswal Reclaims His Space
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal was looking to make an impression after being relegated to the bench for most of India’s ODI matches in Australia this past summer, as well as having been in the middle of an NOC controversy. He did just that for Rajasthan with 67 and 156 runs against the team. Both innings saw him build a century partnership with Musheer Khan. Those two innings are what we’ve come to expect from Jaiswal: busy, bold, and always playing without compromise. The 156 came with a strike rate of 89.66 with 18 fours and one six. It almost seemed like an open letter to the selection committee ahead of the upcoming Test series against South Africa; if they want someone to set the tone on the field, Jaiswal is ready.
Deepak Hooda Rediscovers the Long-Format Muscle
Deepak Hooda
Deepak Hooda’s red-ball renaissance would make a great documentary: out of India’s setup since early 2023, tough IPL stint at CSK, talk of being released before the mini auction, and suddenly he’s peeling off 248 off 335 against Mumbai.
His transition from a white-ball hitter to a patient, layered middle-order presence is what stands out. Hooda didn’t slog; he constructed. And after Chhattisgarh and now Mumbai, he has put together the kind of back-to-back performances that revive careers. If the selectors want a batting all-rounder with stamina, Hooda just name-dropped himself back into the conversation.
Karun Nair Isn’t Done Yet
Karun Nair
Few Indian players have lived a cricketing paradox like Karun Nair: a Test triple-centurion struggling for national recall. But this season, he seems determined to flip that narrative. After 174 against Goa, Nair went even bigger, 233 in Round 3, part of a 343-run stand with Smaran Ravichandran after Karnataka were 13–2. And most impressively, he is currently the second-highest scorer in the tournament with 488 runs at 162.66. Not picked for India, Irani Trophy, or even India A? He’s responding the only way he knows by batting so heavily that ignoring him becomes impractical.
Anukul Roy’s Rare Spell of Destruction
Anukul Roy
Anukul Roy’s historic 8/55 (1st) & 5/35 (2nd), with 13 overall, completely defined Jharkhand’s 196-run win over Nagaland. Only 14 bowlers in Indian cricket history have ever taken more than 8 wickets in a single inning. Not only did Roy do a great job of bowling, but he also threw one of the greatest spells of bowling of all time. For many years, left-arm spinners have been India’s underappreciated, domestic workhorses. After being a talented Under 19 player for years, perhaps, after his impressive Round 3 performance, Roy will get the National attention he has been seeking.
Abhirath Reddy Scripts Hyderabad’s Greatest Chase
Abhirath Reddy
Chasing 347 in the fourth innings is the kind of mission that makes dugouts nervous and statisticians excited. Hyderabad didn’t just achieve it; they made it their biggest chase ever, the 10th-highest in Ranji history, and Abhirath Reddy was the heartbeat of it all. His unbeaten 175 off 200, complete with tempo, judgment, and no visible panic, is extraordinary for someone scoring his first career hundred. Hyderabad fans have waited since 2022 for him to explode. Round 3 finally saw that spark turn into a blaze.
Round 3 wasn’t merely about points tables or innings margins. It was about pressure, career pressure, selection pressure, legacy pressure. And almost poetically, each standout performer delivered under that weight. As India prepares for South Africa, the selectors’ task becomes trickier. Do they reward long-format grit like Karun’s? Fresh hunger like Reddy’s? Or undeniable skill peaks like Roy’s? What’s certain is this: Round 3 didn’t just shape the Ranji season; it may have subtly reshaped India’s Test squad narrative for the months ahead.
Key Takeaway
Round 3 proved that when the stakes rise, India’s domestic stars rise even higher.
FAQs
- Why was Round 3 of the Ranji Trophy so important?
Because it came right before the South Africa Test series, making performances here selection-relevant.
- Who was the standout performer of the round?
Different roles shone, but Anukul Roy’s 13 wickets and Abhirath Reddy’s 175 in a record chase were exceptional.
- Did these performances impact India’s Test squad chances?
Yes, especially for players like Jaiswal, Nair, Hooda, and Ro, who strengthened or revived their claims.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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