A young all-rounder from the city, K.V. Sasikanth was selected to the Andhra Ranji team playing its knockout quarterfinal match at Lahil in Haryana from February 16.
The pacer-batsman Sasikanth got into the team led by former Indian player Md. Kaif on the basis of his performance in the recently held Col. C.K. Nayudu trophy under-23 all-India knockout tournament. In it, he had a five-wicket haul and scored an unbeaten ton (153) in the quarterfinal match against Himachal Pradesh, following up his fine show in the preliminary matches.
His total haul was 17 wickets and aggregate of runs scored was 280 in the tournament. In the under-19 age group Cooch-Behar trophy tournament earlier, he was among the top three bowlers (number of wickets) of India. His stay at the ACA North Zone Academy at Chintalavalasa near Vizianagaram has helped him to hone his skills.
The youngster was nominated by the BCCI for training at the National Cricket Academy, Bangalore, during August and during the camp he played for the NCA team against the visiting Australian Board team.
The Cooch-Behar under-19 multi-day tournament 2013-14 was a highlight of his career. He claimed six wickets in an innings against Assam, seven against Haryana for a total haul of 30 in the tournament. Sasikanth thanked the Andhra Cricket Association, its vice-president G.J.J. Raju, Director (cricket operations) M.S.K. Prasad, former Ranji captain and in-charge of North Zone M.N. Ravikumar and the VDCA officials and coaches for their support.
