Andhra Cricket Association’s daunting task of picking the Ranji Trophy squad for the season has begun with North Zone lifting the Venkatagiri Trophy thus bring the curtains on the selection tournament at Anantapur on Friday. Andhra Ranji team, after hogging the limelight in Elite Division along with best of teams in the country, was relegated to Plate in 2007-2008 and from then on there was nothing noteworthy to talk about its show – barring a couple of individual performances.
However, the heartening news emanating from the selection tournament was the splendid performances by youngsters both in batting and bowling. As many as seven centuries were scored out of which six were slammed by young guns like D. B. Prasanth Kumar (2), Jyothi Sai Krishna (2), S. Bharat (1) , M.U.B. Sriram (1) and one by veteran wicket keeper Manoj Sai.
Bowling
The bowling department witnessed Kadapa speedster P. Vijay Kumar occupying the top slot scalping 18 wickets including two five-wicket hauls followed by left-arm spinner Rajesh Pawar with 11 wickets including a seven-wicket haul. The young bowlers to impress were Md. Basha (14), A.G. Praveen (12) and Ajay Kumar (9).
Some popular faces in Andhra Ranji circuit – Y. Venugopala Rao and K. S. Shahabuddin - did not play the tournament – the former citing injury and later was busy playing in English county. Andhra middle-order batsman A.S.K. Varma too was conspicuous in his absence giving rise to speculations that he might announce his retirement.
“The selectors should take a bold step by selecting many youngsters as they look more committed. While maintaining the balance of youth and experience, they should give priority to youth as they are the investment for the future,” felt a senior administrator.
Well-wishers and critics of ACA are keenly watching the happenings as the think-tank led by former international M.S.K. Prasad at the helm. Mr Prasad and his team have taken some calculated risks to make an impact in the new format introduced by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) this season. They have roped in a New Zealander - Kaushik Patel as the chief coach and have hired an ‘import’ from Maharashtra – Rajesh Pawar to bamboozle the rivals with this orthodox spin.
“A new coach, that too a foreigner may find it difficult to assuage the egos of the seniors. He might find it difficult in making them give their hundred per cent. That will not be the case with the youngsters who only look to go out and perform,” felt a senior coach.
