3 forgotten batters who can make an international comeback after Ranji season

The 92nd edition of the Ranji Trophy got underway on October 11, 2026, with 38 teams and 19 first-round matches being played across India. The tournament will feature 138 matches in total, split across two phases around the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, with the first leg running until November 5 and the second leg starting January 17, 2027.

For several experienced batters, this season represents a genuine opportunity to remind the national selectors of their quality. Three players in particular carry the form, the pedigree and the motivation to push for a return to India’s Test setup after a productive Ranji campaign.

Here are 3 forgotten batters who can return to Indian team with Ranji performances:

3. Abhimanyu Easwaran (Bengal)

Abhimanyu Easwaran is one of the most consistent batters in domestic cricket and has been a regular run-scorer for Bengal over many seasons. The right-handed opener, born on September 6, 1995, was part of India’s Test squad under head coach Gautam Gambhir but never received a debut cap and was subsequently left out of national reckoning. He has also led India A and India B in the Duleep Trophy, underlining his standing in the country’s red-ball structure.

His most recent notable outing came in the Duleep Trophy 2026 final for East Zone against South Zone, where he scored 72 in the first innings. Bengal named him captain for the 2026-27 season, with Sudip Kumar Gharami as vice-captain, and their opening match is against Delhi from October 11 to 14 at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani. Bengal reached the semi-finals in the previous Ranji Trophy season before losing to eventual champions Jammu and Kashmir. A strong run this season could put Easwaran firmly back in the selectors’ thoughts.

2. Sarfaraz Khan (Mumbai)

Sarfaraz Khan made his Test debut in February 2024 but has since found himself on the outside of India’s Test plans after only irregular appearances at the highest level. The Mumbai batter is confirmed in his state’s squad for the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy and is among the Indian players set to feature in the first round.

Sarfaraz has a well-documented record in domestic cricket, including a maiden triple century in first-class cricket against Uttar Pradesh in January 2020 during the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy. Mumbai are captained by Siddhesh Lad this season. Sarfaraz’s ability to score heavily in the Ranji Trophy has been the foundation of his international career, and another prolific campaign with Mumbai could make it difficult for selectors to overlook him again.

1. Prithvi Shaw (Maharashtra)

Prithvi Shaw has been named captain of Maharashtra for the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy season, a significant responsibility that places him at the centre of one of the competition’s prominent sides. Shaw, who made his Test debut as a teenager and was once considered a future cornerstone of India’s batting lineup, has been out of the national picture for an extended period.

Taking on the captaincy role for Maharashtra signals a fresh chapter in his domestic career. A commanding season with the bat, combined with the added responsibility of leading his side, could provide the selectors with a compelling case to revisit his credentials for a Test return.