Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Top 5 emerging fast bowlers in India’s domestic circuit to watch out for.
India, traditionally celebrated for its batters and spinners, is now witnessing a golden era in fast bowling. With pacers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, India fast bowling attack is revered all around the world.
However, this revolution is not limited to the national team, the domestic scene is also brimming with pace talent. Among the most promising names making waves are Gurnoor Brar, Gurjapneet Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Aditya Thakare, and Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal.
Gurnoor Brar
One of the standout names in recent domestic seasons, Gurnoor Brar has quickly transitioned from being a promising net bowler for IPL franchises to one of Punjab’s most reliable pacers.
Brar made heads turn during the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy season, taking 33 wickets in 12 matches at an average of 25.66, with an excellent economy rate of 3.43. His best figures, 5/14 against Bihar, marked him as a bowler with the potential for game-changing spells.
Brar’s ability to extract movement off the pitch and maintain a disciplined line has earned him accolades. His performance in the Sher-E-Punjab T20 League, where he finished as the top wicket-taker with 22 wickets in just 11 matches, cemented his reputation as a T20 specialist. Recognising his all-format prowess, Gujarat Titans bid big for him in the 2025 IPL auction, paying Rs 1.30 crores.
Brar’s growth trajectory is impressive. From his first-class debut for Punjab in 2022 to stabilising the lower order with the bat, such as his crucial 64 not out against Jammu and Kashmir, he has evolved as an all-round asset.
Read More: IPL has made India a champion side in T20Is; Could Ranji Trophy do the same for India’s Test side?
Gurjapneet Singh
Gurjapneet Singh, a left-arm medium-fast bowler from Tamil Nadu, has steadily risen through the ranks due to his ability to swing the new ball in both directions.
In the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, he caught everyone’s attention with a devastating spell of 6/22 against Saurashtra. Maintaining a first-class bowling average of 19.69, Singh has demonstrated a knack for breaking partnerships at vital moments.
In limited-overs cricket, Gurjapneet has delivered under pressure, taking 9 wickets in 5 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches with a notable economy rate of 9.82. His best figures of 3/53 herein highlight his adaptability to different formats.
Singh’s career in the Tamil Nadu Premier League has had hiccups due to injury but his strong comeback, including a 15-wicket season with the Siechem Madurai Panthers, underlined his resilience.
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Anshul Kamboj
Rapidly progressing through state and India A ranks, Anshul Kamboj became a national headline in November 2024 by taking all ten wickets in a single Ranji Trophy innings for Haryana.
Kamboj’s first-class tally stands at 79 wickets in 24 matches, demonstrating his consistency and ability to deliver big hauls. His strong showings in limited-overs cricket include 17 wickets in 10 matches during Haryana’s victorious Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign. He also impressed in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, with 7 wickets in as many matches.
His meteoric rise culminated in a Test debut against England in July 2025 at Old Trafford, making him India’s 318th Test cricketer. Known for bowling around 130km/h and extracting sharp bounce thanks to a high-arm action, Kamboj is praised for his control and discipline. He was first picked by Mumbai Indians for IPL 2024 and fetched a handsome contract from Chennai Super Kings in 2025.
Read More: Top 5 emerging bowlers in Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Aditya Thakare
Aditya Thakare has grown into the leader of Vidarbha’s pace attack, combining accuracy with swing to trouble the best batter. Thakare’s major breakthrough came when he played a key role in Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy triumph in 2019-20.
His consistency is reflected in career first-class figures: 20 matches, 75 wickets at an average of 22.40, with five 5-wicket hauls and a best of 7/54. In List A, he boasts 55 wickets in 30 matches, and he has excelled in T20 cricket as well, with 40 wickets from 25 appearances at an average under 20.
Thakare is lauded for stepping up in pressure situations, which has earned him the record for best bowling figures in a match for Vidarbha in a domestic one-day game.
Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal
With a first-class bowling average of 15.43 and 60 wickets from 12 matches, Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal has quickly climbed the Bengal ranks to become one of the most lethal new-ball bowlers in the domestic circuit.
Known for his ability to generate pace and bounce as well as swing, Jaiswal dominated the 2024/25 season with match-defining spells, multiple 5-wicket and 4-wicket hauls, including a best of 6/46 in a single innings.
Jaiswal’s impressive average and strike rate (32.3) signal his ability to strike regularly, while his control and economy of 2.86 reveal a maturity beyond his years. His stellar performances and consistent wicket-taking meant he often emerged as Bengal’s go-to pacer in crunch situations.
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