Top 5 Ranji Trophy Stars Who Struggled in International Cricket
Ranji Trophy Legends Who Couldn’t Succeed Internationally
The Ranji Trophy is India’s top domestic First-Class cricket tournament. It has produced some of the country’s greatest cricketers. Players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shubman Gill used it as a path to international glory. But, not every Ranji Trophy star has had the same success at the highest level.
Despite excelling in domestic cricket, some players failed to make the Indian team. This was due to fierce competition, few opportunities, and temperament issues. Their performances were also inconsistent. Here are five cricketers. They thrived in the Ranji Trophy but struggled internationally.
1. Manoj Tiwary – A Talent Overlooked
Manoj Tiwary is a puzzle in Indian cricket. Despite his strong domestic form, he never got a consistent run in the national team.
- In 2011, I scored a match-winning century (104)* against West Indies. But, I was dropped for the next series.
- Scored 65 against Sri Lanka in 2012. But, selectors favored new talents and sidelined me.
- Ranji Trophy & First-Class Stats: 10,195 runs in 148 matches. Average: 48. Centuries: 30. Fifties: 45.
Tiwary’s career was a classic case of unfulfilled potential. He never got a long chance to prove his worth at the international level.
2. Wasim Jaffer – A Domestic Giant Who Fell Short Internationally
Wasim Jaffer is a legend in Indian domestic cricket. He is the highest run-scorer in Ranji Trophy history. However, his success never translated to a prolonged international career.
- Ranji Trophy Record: 12,038 runs in 238 innings at an average of 57, with 40 centuries.
- International Test Career: He scored 1,944 runs in 31 matches. This is modest, given his dominance in domestic cricket.
- He holds the record for the most runs in Ranji Trophy history. But, he failed to secure a long-term spot in India’s Test side.
Jaffer’s classical technique suited First-Class cricket. But, he struggled to make a mark internationally.
3. R Vinay Kumar – A Domestic Bowling Stalwart
R Vinay Kumar, a two-time Ranji Trophy-winning captain for Karnataka, was a top wicket-taker in Indian domestic cricket. But, he couldn’t replicate his success for India.
- Ranji Trophy Record: 442 wickets in 207 innings at an average of 21. He has 24 five-wicket hauls and four 10-wicket match hauls.
- International Career:
- 1 Test match: 1 wicket
- 31 ODIs: 38 wickets at an economy of 5.94
- 9 T20Is: 10 wickets
Despite his domestic cricket success, he struggled at the highest level. He lacked pace and adaptability to international conditions.
4. Ajay Sharma – An Unfulfilled Career Cut Short
Ajay Sharma was a run-machine in First-Class cricket. He had one of the best batting averages in India’s domestic history. However, he never made an impact at the international level.
- First-Class Record: 10,120 runs in 129 matches at an average of 67.46.
- International Career:
- 1 Test match: 53 runs
- 31 ODIs: 424 runs
- Could never score more than 60 runs in a single ODI match.
His international career was derailed after being linked to the 2000 match-fixing scandal. It ended his time in cricket.
5. Arun Lal – A Domestic Stalwart Who Fell Short Internationally
A veteran in Indian domestic cricket, Arun Lal was a key player for Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. But, he failed to establish himself in the Indian national team.
- First-Class Record: 10,421 runs in 156 matches at an average of 46.94, with a career-best score of 287.
- International Career:
- 16 Tests: 729 runs
- 13 ODIs: 122 runs
- A key player in Bengal’s 1989-90 Ranji Trophy win, he fell short in international cricket.
Arun Lal was a talented cricketer. He was good with tech and had success at home. But, his international career never took off. He remains an unfulfilled talent in Indian cricket.
