CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu – to be captained by Vijay Shankar – will enter a new era this Ranji season when they take the field without the likes of seasoned campaigners such as Murali Vijay, Abhinav Mukund and Dinesh Karthik.
“Vijay and Abhinav haven’t been available for selection while Dinesh Karthik too opted out. If we do make the final, we can perhaps request him but that decision will be taken later,” said a TNCA official. Dinesh Karthik made his First-Class debut in the 2002-03 season. M Vijay and Abhinav have served Tamil Nadu from 2006 and 2007 respectively.
The absence of these seasoned campaigners notwithstanding, Vijay Shankar feels it’s a chance for others in the squad to put their hands up and be counted. “We will definitely miss their presence as they have done so well for the state over the years. But their absence gives an opportunity for those in the squad to step up and deliver,” Shankar told TOI.
Tamil Nadu will open their Ranji campaign by taking on Jammu & Kashmir in their Elite Group D clash in Ahmedabad from January 13 to 16. Washington Sundar has been named Shankar’s deputy in the tournament.
The squad has a good mix of youth and experience in both batting and bowling. Young gun Sai Sudharsan has made the squad on the back of his consistent performances in Tamil Nadu Premier League, TNCA first division league (for Jolly Rovers) and in the white-ball tournaments. Medium-pacers R Silambarasan, P Saravana Kumar and wicketkeeper batsman R Kavin too have been rewarded for notching up strong shows whenever given a chance.
“We have experienced players such as Kaushik Gandhi, B Aparajith, B Indrajith, Washington Sundar, N Jagadeesan and Shahrukh Khan in our batting line-up. They will be well complemented by youngsters such as Pradosh Ranjan Paul and Sai Sudharsan,” Shankar pointed out.
Much like the batting, Tamil Nadu boast of plenty of options in its bowling ranks as well. The experienced Aswin Crist makes a return to red-ball cricket after a gap of almost five years. “Having been injured for a long time — it’s good to have him back as he adds a lot of firepower to our bowling unit,” said Shankar.
In addition to Crist, Tamil Nadu have pace options in Sandeep Warrier, Silambarasan, Saravana Kumar and L Vignesh. R Sai Kishore and M Siddharth are the frontline spinners in the squad.
Squad: Vijay Shankar (Captain), Washington Sundar (vice-captain), B Indrajith, B Aparajith, N Jagadeesan, M Shahrukh Khan, Sai Sudharsan, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, L Suryapprakash, M Kaushik Gandhi, V Ganga Sridhar Raju, Sandeep Warrier, M Mohammed, R Silambarasan, P Saravana Kumar, Aswin Crist, L Vignesh, R Sai Kishore, M Siddharth, R Kavin
“Vijay and Abhinav haven’t been available for selection while Dinesh Karthik too opted out. If we do make the final, we can perhaps request him but that decision will be taken later,” said a TNCA official. Dinesh Karthik made his First-Class debut in the 2002-03 season. M Vijay and Abhinav have served Tamil Nadu from 2006 and 2007 respectively.
The absence of these seasoned campaigners notwithstanding, Vijay Shankar feels it’s a chance for others in the squad to put their hands up and be counted. “We will definitely miss their presence as they have done so well for the state over the years. But their absence gives an opportunity for those in the squad to step up and deliver,” Shankar told TOI.
Tamil Nadu will open their Ranji campaign by taking on Jammu & Kashmir in their Elite Group D clash in Ahmedabad from January 13 to 16. Washington Sundar has been named Shankar’s deputy in the tournament.
The squad has a good mix of youth and experience in both batting and bowling. Young gun Sai Sudharsan has made the squad on the back of his consistent performances in Tamil Nadu Premier League, TNCA first division league (for Jolly Rovers) and in the white-ball tournaments. Medium-pacers R Silambarasan, P Saravana Kumar and wicketkeeper batsman R Kavin too have been rewarded for notching up strong shows whenever given a chance.
“We have experienced players such as Kaushik Gandhi, B Aparajith, B Indrajith, Washington Sundar, N Jagadeesan and Shahrukh Khan in our batting line-up. They will be well complemented by youngsters such as Pradosh Ranjan Paul and Sai Sudharsan,” Shankar pointed out.
Much like the batting, Tamil Nadu boast of plenty of options in its bowling ranks as well. The experienced Aswin Crist makes a return to red-ball cricket after a gap of almost five years. “Having been injured for a long time — it’s good to have him back as he adds a lot of firepower to our bowling unit,” said Shankar.
In addition to Crist, Tamil Nadu have pace options in Sandeep Warrier, Silambarasan, Saravana Kumar and L Vignesh. R Sai Kishore and M Siddharth are the frontline spinners in the squad.
Squad: Vijay Shankar (Captain), Washington Sundar (vice-captain), B Indrajith, B Aparajith, N Jagadeesan, M Shahrukh Khan, Sai Sudharsan, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, L Suryapprakash, M Kaushik Gandhi, V Ganga Sridhar Raju, Sandeep Warrier, M Mohammed, R Silambarasan, P Saravana Kumar, Aswin Crist, L Vignesh, R Sai Kishore, M Siddharth, R Kavin
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