Ranji Trophy Round 3 of 202526 started on Saturday, November 1 and featured a combination of both the dominant team efforts and the individual excellent performance in the venues. But the historic strongholds like Bengal, Mumbai, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Vidarbha and Punjab had to be content with draws despite good performance. The round underscored the growing competition and competition between teams in the country this season.
Karnataka was the only side who had the most convincing win as they were defeating their opponents with the margin of an innings and 164 at the KCA Cricket Ground. Their bowlers went through the opposition with accuracy and their top order brought about a clinical performance thus securing an easy outcome. The resounding victory has propelled Karnataka to the points table and re-established them as one of the finest in this season.
The Round 3 was also the most important one as it was immediately preceded by the two-match Test series between India and South Africa, which began November 14. As the selectors are preparing to complete the squad in the nearest future, this round served as the final opportunity to those who were yet to be noticed to impress and secure a national invitation. In the case of oldsters, it was a good match drill and an opportunity to polish their form before the big international series.
On that topic, let us look at the top five performers in Round 3 of the Ranji Trophy 2025–26.
1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal marked his Ranji return for Mumbai in style after his off-season NOC controversy. Playing against Rajasthan at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, he struck 67 in the first innings and followed it up with a fluent 156 in the second. The left-hander, who recently toured Australia with the Indian ODI squad but didn’t get a game, looked in sublime touch as he prepared for the upcoming Test series against South Africa.
Jaiswal’s second-innings century came at a brisk pace, with 18 fours and a six at a strike rate close to 90. Opening with Musheer Khan, he helped Mumbai put up two century stands across both innings. His confident stroke play and temperament once again underlined why he is seen as one of India’s most promising red-ball batters.
2. Deepak Hooda
Deepak Hooda continued his impressive domestic form with a superb double century against Mumbai. After starting the season with a ton against Chhattisgarh, he hammered 248 off 335 balls to help his team post a massive 617 for 6 in reply to Mumbai’s 254. The all-rounder played with crisp boundaries and controlled aggression, showcasing his maturity in the longer format.
Hooda last played for India at the start of 2023 and endured a disappointing IPL 2025 season with Chennai Super Kings. However, his Ranji Trophy purple patch has revived hopes of an international comeback. His consistency with the bat and ability to build long innings make him a strong contender for national selection once again.
3. Karun Nair
Karun Nair also delivered an emphatic statement to the selectors when he was not selected in both Test and India A teams. After playing 174 against Goa without beating his opponent the Karnataka veteran scored a brilliant 233 against Kerala. His drives of class and patience were timely when his team was in need and lost 13-2.
Nair and Smaran Ravichandran had a huge partnership of 343 to guide Karnataka to 586-5. He has made 488 runs in an average of more than 160 in the current season making him the second highest run-getter in Ranji Trophy. His new physique has now made him come into the limelight of a national comeback.
4. Anukul Roy
Anukul Roy led Jharkhand to an unbeaten run as he demolished Nagaland with match figures of 13 wickets. His brilliant eight-wicket haul (8-55) in the first innings ranks among the best in Ranji Trophy history. He followed it up with another five-for (5-35) in the second innings, sealing Jharkhand’s innings-and-196-run victory in Ranchi.
The right-arm spinner kept Nagaland’s batters guessing throughout the match. Strong batting contributions from Shikhar Mohan and Virat Singh ensured Jharkhand’s dominance from start to finish. Roy’s exceptional performances have now established him as one of the standout bowlers of the season.
5. Abhirath Reddy
Abhirath Reddy played a match-winning knock to lead Hyderabad in a record chase of 347 against Himachal Pradesh — the highest-ever fourth-innings chase in Ranji Trophy history. The opener smashed an unbeaten 175 off 200 balls, thereby guiding his team to a memorable four-wicket win in just 75.3 overs.
Moreover, Reddy’s confidence and attacking intent stood out as he went after the bowlers right from the start. Since making his first-class debut in 2022, the 29-year-old has shown steady progress; however, this innings truly announced him in style with his maiden century. Consequently, his composed handling of a high-pressure chase that could easily have slipped away has established him as one of the standout performers of Round 3.
