Young off-spinner Rishav Raj delivered a sensational performance, taking four wickets for just 49 runs in the second innings, leading Jharkhand to a dominant innings victory over Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy on Saturday. Reflecting on his exceptional First Class debut, Raj described the experience as ‘superb and truly amazing.’
Post-match, he couldn’t hide his excitement, exclaiming, ‘I never imagined my debut would be this incredible! It feels surreal, and this match will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable moments of my career!’
Despite admitting the wicket wasn’t particularly conducive to spin, Raj emphasized his commitment to the strategy provided by his coach, Sunny Gupta, a former off-spinner for both Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu.
‘My coach deserves all the credit,’ Raj stated, ‘He has been instrumental in honing my bowling skills, guiding me through every season. It’s truly been an amazing journey working with him.’
Jharkhand’s standout spinner, Rishav Raj, celebrates after claiming four crucial wickets against Tamil Nadu during the fourth day of their Ranji Trophy Elite Group-A match in Coimbatore on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
The 24-year-old revealed that his passion for cricket stemmed from his father, an ardent fan who would often share inspiring tales of cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Kapil Dev.
‘Seeing his joy when he recounted those stories and discussed cricket with me always stuck with me,’ Raj explained. ‘My primary goal is to bring him that same happiness through my performances. I sincerely hope my parents are proud of what I’ve achieved.’
Looking ahead, Rishav voiced his determination to maintain his excellent form throughout the current season and build upon the spectacular success of his debut.