Who is Nishanth Saranu? 6-foot-9 Hyderabad pacer makes debut in Ranji Trophy

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Nishanth Saranu, the towering 6-foot-9 fast bowler, made his much-anticipated Ranji Trophy debut for Hyderabad against Gujarat. His remarkable height, bowling skills, and rapid rise in the cricket world have made him the talk of the town.

But it’s his journey from a novice cricketer to a Ranji debutant that makes his story truly fascinating.

Formative Years in Cricket

Surprisingly, Nishanth didn’t start playing cricket seriously until 2021. At 19, he had struggled with his weight, tipping the scales at 102kg. He initially tried badminton and tennis but couldn’t find his footing. He eventually took up cricket for fitness and soon found his calling. “I was too chubby...and weighed 102kgs,” Nishanth shared with The Indian Express.

Inspired by Jasprit Bumrah, he mimicked the star’s bowling action during his early days. However, after joining Coaching Beyond Academy in Hyderabad, run by former India fielding coach R Sridhar, he refined his action under the guidance of veteran bowling coach TA Sekhar.

Domestic Career

Nishanth’s domestic journey has been fast-tracked, featuring in the Vijay Merchant and Cooch Behar Trophies. He caught the eye of the Mumbai Indians scouts, thanks to his unique height and bowling style.

His opportunity to bowl in the IPL as a net bowler was a defining moment in his career, allowing him to rub shoulders with top players like Jasprit Bumrah and Pakistan’s Haris Rauf. Nishanth debuted in the Ranji Trophy with a bang, picking up two wickets on Day 1.

Bowling to Pakistan at ODI World Cup 2023 Nets

Nishanth’s journey took an exciting turn when he was selected as a net bowler for Pakistan’s ODI World Cup 2023 squad during their preparation in Hyderabad. His towering 6-foot-9 frame caught the attention of Pakistan’s bowling coach Morne Morkel, who noticed Nishanth’s ability to generate extra bounce. During Pakistan’s opening net session ahead of their warm-up matches, Nishanth bowled to tail-enders, with an exception for opener Fakhar Zaman.

Although Nishanth’s pace was in the range of 125-130 kmph, Morkel encouraged him to increase his speed, noting that with his height and potential, he could become a dangerous bowler.

"Morne sir asked me to increase my pace and even took my phone number for possible future opportunities," Nishanth revealed. The session boosted his confidence, as players like Haris Rauf believed that once Nishanth added more muscle, his pace would naturally increase.

Education and Parents

Not much is publicly known about Nishanth’s educational background, but his passion for the sport is evident. He credits his family, particularly his parents, for their unwavering support as he navigated the challenges of transitioning from recreational cricket to professional competition.

Future Prospect

Nishanth narrowly missed out on selection for the 2024 Under-19 T20 World Cup in South Africa, but his performances in the Challenger and Quadrangular series have proven his potential. His height, bounce, and ability to extract movement have drawn praise from mentors like R Sridhar, who believe that with more experience, Nishanth will be an asset for Indian cricket.

His rapid rise has already earned him praise from international players like Morne Morkel and Haris Rauf, and with continued dedication, Nishanth Saranu could very well be a future star in Indian cricket.