Cricket

Tamil Nadu's rising star, Shahrukh Khan, has been entrusted with the captaincy of the state's Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament team. The 29-year-old, who has led Lyca Kovai Kings to success in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, expressed his honor and excitement at the opportunity."It's my first time as a captain for Tamil Nadu. I have led in TNPL for several years, but now (I am leading) Tamil Nadu, it is a new thing for me. Obviously, captaining a State team is a privilege," Shahrukh told The Hindu after Tamil Nadu's innings win over Railways in a Ranji Trophy match.Shahrukh emphasized that he is taking the challenge one step at a time, as the domestic red-ball season transitions to white-ball fixtures until late January. He acknowledged that he has not yet given much thought to specific strategies, preferring to focus on the present moment."I haven't thought about anything because the tournament starts in a week's time (November 23). So, I'll start thinking soon about what to do. I don't give anything too much thought. I just think at the right place and at the right time... that is more important," Shahrukh added.Shahrukh's appointment as captain is a testament to his leadership abilities and his impressive performances in domestic cricket. As the tournament approaches, he will be eager to guide Tamil Nadu to success and further enhance his reputation as one of the most promising young players in the country.

Gurjapneet Singh, a 25-year-old pacer from Tamil Nadu, has emerged as a rising star in Indian cricket. Despite facing setbacks in his early career, Gurjapneet has persevered and is now making a significant impact in the Ranji Trophy.Born and raised in Ambala, Gurjapneet initially struggled to break into the Punjab age-group team. Undeterred, he relocated to Chennai in search of better opportunities. After initial challenges, he has become a key player for Tamil Nadu, helping them win crucial matches.In a recent Elite Group D match against Saurashtra, Gurjapneet claimed a six-wicket haul, including the prized scalps of Cheteshwar Pujara and Sheldon Jackson. His impressive figures of 14-5-22-6 showcased his exceptional bowling skills.Gurjapneet's journey has been marked by memorable encounters with some of India's top cricketers. During a recent net session with the Indian team, he famously castled Virat Kohli, an incident that left the star batter visibly frustrated. However, Kohli's subsequent advice proved invaluable to Gurjapneet."He told me, when there is no movement, change the angle and try bowling around the wicket. Because with that angle, even if you manage to get slight movement, it will end up troubling most batsmen," Gurjapneet recalled.Gurjapneet also shared his strategy for dismissing Pujara, a renowned batsman. "When you bowl to a legendary batsman like him, you have to be accurate from the word go. So the plan was to push him on the backfoot and then send in a good front foot ball that would make him uncomfortable," he explained.Gurjapneet's success is a testament to his determination and hard work. He has overcome challenges and embraced opportunities, proving that with perseverance and the right guidance, anything is possible.

Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batsman N. Jagadeesan made his Duleep Trophy debut for India-B in the second-round match against India-C at the Rural Development Trust (RDT) Stadium B-ground in Anantapur. It was his first-ever first-class match outside the Ranji Trophy.Jagadeesan, who was part of the South Zone squad that won the title last season, had not played in the first round of the ongoing edition. He expressed his excitement about making his debut, saying, "I was very elated about it because you always wanted to be a part of a Duleep Trophy side."Despite feeling nervous initially, Jagadeesan overcame his debut jitters and played his natural game. "I was feeling a bit nervous in the beginning, but the moment I got to know nine wickets had fallen (for India-C) and probably I'd be batting soon, I think I was just focused a lot more on my batting," he said.Jagadeesan looked set to score his maiden Duleep Trophy century, but he was caught behind off Anshul Kamboj on 70 (137b, 8x4). While he was disappointed, he took away the positive of overcoming his debut nerves.Jagadeesan also highlighted a unique feature of the ongoing Duleep Trophy edition: "We have seen a lot of Duleep Trophies, and I think this Duleep Trophy has seen a lot of international players playing the games. Playing with them in close quarters, you get to learn a lot."The Duleep Trophy is a prestigious first-class cricket tournament in India, and Jagadeesan's debut marks a significant milestone in his career. He will be hoping to continue his good form and help India-B progress in the tournament.

TNCA President's XI's S. Rithik Easwaran emerged as a beacon of hope for Tamil Nadu cricket, showcasing his resilience and technical prowess in the Buchi Babu semifinal against Hyderabad. Despite the team's failure to advance to the final, Easwaran's fighting century (100 off 140 balls) provided a glimmer of optimism for the future.Easwaran's innings was not merely about the runs he scored, but the manner in which he achieved them. With the President's XI reeling at 200 for six, he found himself batting with the tail and facing a formidable bowling attack. However, he displayed exceptional defensive technique against the pacers and adept maneuvering against the spinners."There was turn, but the more threatening factor was the bounce. As a left-hander with two left-arm spinners operating, it was easier for me," Easwaran explained.Despite the pressure mounting, the 22-year-old remained resolute. "I like it. I play better under pressure situations," he said. "There were some friendly pleasantries in the middle. It's part of the game. I guess they figured it didn't work and they stopped."Easwaran's knock was not only a testament to his individual skill but also a reflection of his determination to succeed. "I really loved the knock. I felt I got into really good positions during the innings. I want to emulate this in the future as well. I thoroughly enjoyed it," he said.Easwaran's performance has set the stage for his aspirations in the upcoming domestic season. "Playing the Ranji Trophy for Tamil Nadu has always been my dream," he said. "Being a wicketkeeper-batter, there are only two spots. With Jagadeesan at the top, there is healthy competition for the second spot. I want to score big runs and take my catches to be in the reckoning. I want to enjoy the game and play in a way that puts a smile."

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) is sending a 19-member team to the United Kingdom from May 2 to 28 for a series of matches across various formats. The tour aims to provide exposure to the state's players in different conditions.The team includes players from under-19, under-23, and Ranji Trophy categories. Pradosh Ranjan Paul and N. Jagadeesan are likely to lead the side in turns. The team will play four two-day games, five one-day games, and a T20 against UK-based teams, including the second XIs of counties like Notts, Northamptonshire, Hampshire, Essex, and Warwickshire.The players will be accompanied by six support staff members, including former India players Robin Singh, L. Balaji, and Tanveer Jabbar, as well as a physio and video analyst. Despite reaching the semifinals of the Ranji Trophy this year, TN has struggled in seamer-friendly conditions in recent years, and the tour has been arranged to expose players to different conditions."We are not worried about the results. We just want our players to experience new conditions and learn. Apart from match days, we will also have nets sessions. We plan to hire a batting consultant, like a former Test player, and a trainer for the duration of the tour," said TNCA secretary R.I. Palani.Meanwhile, former India fielding coach R. Sridhar, along with G. Jayakumar and Dr. Kinjal Suratwala, are conducting workshops for TNCA coaches and those of the 37 district teams. A total of 148 coaches will attend these across four batches.The TNCA will also have four satellite centers ready this year. The centers in Trichy, Tiruppur, and Theni are already up and running, while the one in Madurai is under construction.The Association will also conduct a 16-team T20 tournament next month featuring winners and runners-up of the second and third divisions and the winners of all zones in the fourth, fifth, and sixth divisions. The final will be played under lights at MAC Stadium on May 28.

The Tamil Nadu under-23 cricket team secured a resounding innings and 84-run victory over Kerala on Monday, propelling them to the quarterfinals of the men's Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy. This triumph marks a significant milestone for the team, as it's their first appearance in the knockout stages since the 2017-18 season.Skipper Boopathi Vaishna Kumar emerged as the linchpin of Tamil Nadu's success, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess with two centuries. His leadership and consistent performances have been instrumental in guiding the team to this stage of the competition.Left-arm spinner P. Vignesh played a pivotal role in dismantling Kerala's batting lineup, claiming crucial wickets and restricting their scoring opportunities. His impressive bowling performance proved to be a game-changer, contributing significantly to Tamil Nadu's comprehensive victory.Tamil Nadu coach R. Prasanna expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, acknowledging the talent and potential within the squad. He emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and determination as they strive to secure the championship trophy.The team's batting and bowling departments have displayed remarkable consistency throughout the tournament. Skipper Boopathi has led from the front with his prolific run-scoring, while ambidextrous batter R.S. Mokit Hariharan has emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer with two centuries to his name.The bowling attack, spearheaded by left-arm spinner P. Vidyuth, has made a significant impact, with Vidyuth claiming an impressive 38 wickets in just six matches. His ability to deliver under pressure and contribute with the bat down the order has been a valuable asset to the team.Coach R. Prasanna highlighted the importance of winning the knockout stage as a personal goal, emphasizing the significance of this achievement for the team's growth and development.