Sudip Kumar Gharami’s Journey to Ranji Trophy Stardom and Family Sacrifices

Sudip Kumar Gharami Hits 299 in Ranji Trophy Quarter-Final

“How far will your son go going as a cricketer?” Susanta Gharami, a mason by profession, was asked that question often when his son started playing cricket as an 11-year-old. Six years after making his debut for the senior Bengal team in March 2020 just days before turning 21, Sudip Kumar Gharami recorded the second-highest score by a Bengal batter in first-class cricket. His marathon innings of 299 in the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 quarter-final against Andhra ended around the single run he failed to score, boosting his overall numbers and bringing the soft-spoken batter into the spotlight.

Family Sacrifices Behind the Bengal Batter

The Gharami story centers on a dream shared by father and son. Susanta wanted to play cricket, but his own father lacked the funds to support the ambition. When Sudip showed the same inclination, Susanta borrowed money to buy his son an English willow bat. Lakshmi, Sudip’s mother, used to cook food at 4 a.m. so he could catch the local train for the 38-kilometer journey from Naihati to Kolkata for training. With money earned while still a teenager, Sudip converted his family’s kutcha house in Naihati into a permanent brick-and-mortar home. Now, Sudip rents a flat in Kolkata where he lives with his mother and younger brother Dip, while Susanta continues to live in Naihati and attends games when Sudip plays in Kolkata or Kalyani.

Transitioning From Domestic Grinds to National Spotlight

Following a first-class debut interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, Sudip scored 803 runs in the 2022–23 Ranji Trophy as Bengal reached the final. After Manoj Tiwary retired, Sudip slotted in seamlessly and finished as Bengal’s top scorer in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy with 797 runs, hitting three centuries including his 299 and a 146 against eventual champions Jammu & Kashmir in the semi-final. Before that innings, his first-class average sat at 36.24, rising to 41.70 after he scored 937 runs across 16 first-class innings and converted all four of his half-centuries into centuries.

Sarfaraz Khan Advice Shapes Domestic Campaign

Sudip began the 2026–27 domestic season with 146 against North East Zone in the Duleep Trophy, followed by quiet outings and an appearance for the Rest of India in the Irani Cup. A conversation with new teammate Sarfaraz Khan prompted a shift in mindset. “Sarfaraz bhai told me it was important that I batted deep after getting set as I wouldn’t get off to a good start every time,” Sudip said. In the following game against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy, Sudip responded with 133 runs, earning him recognition among the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s players of interest.

Off-Season Training at the Centre of Excellence

Ahead of the Duleep Trophy, Sudip worked alongside coaches at the Centre of Excellence (CoE). He spent two weeks with coach Yere Goud at the CoE before consulting Joydeep Mukherjee and Surendra Bhave at Bengal to refine his mindset and shot selection for different pitch conditions. Although he maintains a 52.60 average in List A cricket, Sudip views first-class cricket as his primary strength. “Every day and every session is a challenge in first-class format,” Sudip said, noting that the red ball swings for longer periods and induces reverse swing compared to white-ball formats.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sudip Kumar Gharami

What is Sudip Kumar Gharami’s highest score in first-class cricket?

Sudip Kumar Gharami recorded a score of 299 playing for Bengal against Andhra in the Ranji Trophy 2025–26 quarter-final.

How many runs did Sudip score in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy season?

He finished as Bengal’s top scorer in the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy with 797 runs, which included three centuries.

Who helped inspire Sudip’s tactical adjustment during the domestic season?

Sarfaraz Khan advised Sudip to bat deep after getting set because batters cannot rely on getting off to a good start every innings.