“Ab apni kaise taareef karun?”: Punjab captain Uday Saharan following Shubman Gill’s pathway to success

Uday Saharan is not even 10 games old in the Ranji Trophy, yet he is already a crowd-puller. Despite no authorised entry for fans at Punjab’s Ranji Trophy encounter against Chhattisgarh, a handful still sneaked into the New PCA Stadium once Saharan started piling on runs on Sunday.

Saharan, who hails from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan but moved to Fazilka as an 11-year-old to pursue cricket, is the quintessential prototype of a talisman that often flourishes in Indian cricket. Besides his obvious batting flair, Saharan does not shy away from a verbal skirmish with his opponents, often sports raised collars and is a livewire on the field.

His Shere-e-Punjab performance with Bathinda Royals has made him a crowd favourite. The 351 runs were not the most prolific tally, as he played just six games, but his strike rate of 192 was in the realm of the State’s IPL breakouts: Naman Dhir, Ramandeep Singh and Prabhsimran Singh.

ALSO READ | Saharan’s ton keeps Punjab afloat against Chhattisgarh

Without revealing the names, Saharan admits his success in the State league has attracted interest from IPL franchises.

“I won’t say I want to do it because of popularity. But I think the IPL is also my goal. It is the next natural step in my journey and my ultimate goal, which is obviously to play for India,” Saharan tells Sportstar.

An IPL contract will come in due time, but Saharan’s India credentials have already received a shot in the arm, largely owing to his Ranji Trophy exploits over the last 12 months.

After two games in the 2025-26 season, Saharan was handed the reins of Punjab’s Ranji Trophy team, at just 21 and with only two First-Class games under his belt.

His first assignment came against Goa at home, and muscle memory kicked in as he scored 126 in his maiden essay as captain. A year before stepping up to senior cricket, Saharan had led Punjab to the C.K. Nayudu Trophy and the Under-23 List A title.

In his first Ranji Trophy season, Saharan was Punjab’s highest accumulator, scoring 654 runs. A similar script had played out at a different stage a couple of years earlier. Saharan led India at the U-19 World Cup in 2024 and was the leading scorer with 357 runs in seven games.

“I was surprised that this change happened. But I was ready. I did it in the Under-23 as well. Before that, there was the Under-19 World Cup. So, it wasn’t a big deal, it was not something I was new at. Yes, I have senior players here. They all play in the IPL. It’s obviously a different feeling to manage everyone here. But my senior players didn’t let me feel the difference. They never let me feel that I won’t be able to manage,” Saharan says.

The transition from U-19 cricket to the senior level is not always a walk in the park. There are examples of players whose progress was hampered by injury or a downturn in form. Take Yash Dhull from the 2022 batch, for example, who was diagnosed with a heart ailment and underwent a lengthy lay-off. Then there is Priyam Garg from 2020, who could not keep up with senior cricket and was eventually dropped from Uttar Pradesh’s teams.

But Saharan feels that the only way to ensure a seamless transition is to know how to switch between formats.

“It’s all a matter of your mindset. You should know how to switch. You know what to do when it’s a red-ball game and what to do when it’s white ball. It’s not a big deal, but you have to change a little. If you adjust well, then it’s fine,” Saharan says.

What Saharan probably does not elaborate on is the very aspect that sets him apart from the others: reading the situation.

Even in U-19 cricket, Saharan had a knack for finding runs in tricky phases. In the semifinal against South Africa, India was staring at defeat at 32 for four in a 245-run chase when Saharan steered it home, combining with Sachin Dhas to put on 171 runs for the fifth wicket.

ALSO READ | Gill, Prabhsimran return to bolster Punjab’s bid for first win against Chattisgarh

The ability was on full display in New Chandigarh again, as he bailed Punjab out after its top order caved in. The spotlight was on Shubman Gill’s return for this contest, and the India Test captain’s tame dismissal could easily have sent Punjab spiralling out of control.

Saharan’s sweep-laden counter-attack came as a timely rescue and neutralised Chhattisgarh’s biggest threat, Dharmendra Jadeja.

His blunt assessment makes one wonder whether he realises his own potential.

“The ball was gripping a little. This wicket was on the dry side today. There was turn, and I wanted to counter it. I was just trying to play to my strength,” he says.

Saharan’s instincts to turn up in a crisis extend beyond his individual performances.

On Saturday, a day before the game, Punjab head coach Amit Uniyal, himself just a match old in the role, was raving about Saharan learning the ropes of leadership on the fly. That confidence even persuaded Uniyal to let him stay in charge despite Gill joining the camp.

Punjab is a reputed white-ball side and has had recent success too. However, it has come up short when trying to replicate that authority in the longest format.

In Saharan, Punjab has the catalyst to rebuild its brand in the Ranji Trophy. He’s still young and there are other contributors as well, but Punjab’s relentless pursuit of a late victory against Assam had Saharan’s imprints all over it.

“I think everyone has adjusted well [to the recent changes]. I won’t say there is baggage [to succeed]. This year, everyone just has a different mindset, and that is to succeed in red ball. I know we have a bit of a reputation. Even the senior players are keen to perform. That is helping this team a lot. It is helping the environment. I have never felt like this; neither must Amit sir, that players are wanting to play just one format,” Saharan says.

But praise him off the field and Saharan sheepishly smiles. “Ab apni kaise taareef karun? (How do I praise myself).” Behind the surging reputation is still a 22-year-old who cherishes his trips home in the off-season and is a sucker for UFC bouts.

The ongoing contest is also an occasion to cherish. Saharan’s journey, from playing cricket in Fazilka to moving base to another city before representing India U-19, has borne a resemblance to Gill’s. He naturally looks up to the senior statesman, and Gill’s solitary appearance is a chance for Saharan to learn as much as he can.

“He has been suggesting to me what to do and what not to do on such a wicket. He’s been a great help, and I’ve already learnt a lot from him. I am grateful that he is here,” Saharan says.

The Punjab Cricket Association office has a roll of honour of the State’s Ranji Trophy captains, with Gill listed first and Saharan added later. From State captaincy, Gill went on to join the Indian team, and Saharan’s growing allure could nudge him along the same path.

Published on Oct 19, 2026