Baba Indrajith will lead Tami Nadu in the upcoming Ranji Trophy season, the state selection committee announced on Monday (October 22).
Baba Indrajith has taken the reigns of the team on a full-time basis for the first time. He had previously led the side in 2015 against Mumbai. However, he was a stand-in skipper in absence of full-time skipper Abhinav Mukund. India allrounder Vijay Shankar was the front-runner to replace Mukund as skipper.
However, the selectors went for Indrajith due to uncertainties over Shankar’s presence. The allrounder is likely to be a part of India A squad for the New Zealand tour next month.
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“Vijay Shankar was definitely one of the top choices to lead the side in Ranji Trophy this year. He has been leading our limited-overs side for the last few seasons and the time was right for him to take over in all formats.
“However, with his likely inclusion in the India ‘A’ squad which tours New Zealand around mid-November to play two unofficial four-day Tests, we chose to go with Indrajith. We wanted to make sure that our captain will not only fit well into the role but also be available for the full season,” a TNCA official said.
Brother of former India Under-19 star Baba Aparajith, Indrajith has enjoyed a fine run in domestic cricket since making his debut in 2013. So far, he has played 42 first-class matches, scoring 2662 runs at an average of 49.29.
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Expressing his delight over the new role, Indrajith said he was expecting to get the captain’s role.
“Having been the vice-captain for the last few years, I realised that the opportunity to lead the side will come to me at some point. I am happy to be named the captain and hope to do full justice to the faith shown on me by the selectors,” Indrajith told TOI.
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Tamil Nadu, meanwhile, will be looking to do well this season after a disastrous last season. They are in Elite Group ‘B’ this season along with challenging teams such as Delhi, Punjab, Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. Tamil Nadu begin their campaign against Madhya Pradesh at Dindigul on November 1.