Tamil Nadu, in all probability, will have a new skipper in the Ranji Trophy competition this season. The State team failed to qualify from its group last season.
L. Balaji has been a lion-hearted paceman for Tamil Nadu but there is a belief in some influential sections that captaining a side already weak in bowling might be putting too much pressure on this affable cricketer.
Given his value as a bowler to the side, the 32-year-old paceman could only be used on pitches that are likely to assist seamers.
In other words, Balaji would be fielded judiciously to make the most of his ability.
Three of Balaji’s potential replacements from last season’s squad were R. Ashwin, M. Vijay and S. Badrinath.
However, Ashwin and Vijay should be busy with international commitments while Badrinath would not be turning out for Tamil Nadu this season.
With the Buchi Babu tournament beginning mid-August, the State selectors will need to act fast.
Traditionally, the captain of the TNCA XI in the competition is also the skipper of the Ranji side.
Under the circumstances, the selectors could turn to Dinesh Karthik for the captain’s role again.
The wicketkeeper-batsman’s past experiences in the top job haven’t exactly been happy. So much so that Karthik said he would never want to captain the side again.
But then, Karthik bonds well with the team, lifts the younger cricketers and there is a belief that he could be convinced to take up captaincy again.
While the dependable R. Prasanna is a contender, any one of the talented twins B. Aparajith and B. Indrajith could be given the job. Both are just into their twenties and the move would be a brave one.
The talented Aparajith has shown rare maturity for someone so young.
And Indrajith, according to many who have watched him from his junior days, is a natural leader.
But then, making any of the two the captain would also involve the task of taking the senior cricketers into confidence.
The State selectors will meet in the second week of August to pick the Buchi Babu teams. A big decision awaits them.
