My temperament is suitable for red-ball cricket: Sanat

In decades gone by, the Duleep Trophy was considered as a stepping stone for players aiming to break into the Indian Test team. Even though the zonal competition no longer retains that allure, getting picked for the season-opener is a considerable boost for the top performers of the previous Ranji Trophy campaign.

Ask Sanat Sangwan. The Delhi opener grabbed eyeballs in the 2025-26 Ranji season, racking up 828 runs — third in the list of highest scorers behind Karnataka’s R. Smaran and teammate Ayush Doseja — in 14 innings at an average of 69. The 25-year-old has been deservedly rewarded with a spot in the North Zone squad, which begins its Duleep Trophy campaign against West Zone at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Although Sanat will go into the First Class tournament on the back of playing T20 cricket in the Delhi Premier League, the left-hander’s preparation in recent weeks had covered all bases.

“Along with playing in the DPL, I had been practising against the red ball. To do well in red-ball cricket, you have to work harder. It is a more difficult format for openers since we have to face the new ball. I tend to prepare more for red-ball cricket in the off-season,” Sanat said during a media interaction in the National capital.

During the course of Sanat’s prolific run-making exploits last season, his propensity to wear down bowling attacks was impressive. The youngster, who counts Virat Kohli and Lewis Hamilton among his sporting idols, prides himself on his patience in the longest format.

“My temperament has been suitable for red-ball cricket from the outset. I look to ensure that my shot-selection is in sync with how I’ve prepared,” he mentioned. “I don’t play a cover drive in the first hour. I don’t play away from my body. You can still get out, but the chances reduce. It frustrates bowlers. Once you are set, you can open up.”