TN’s terrific trio have proved detractors wrong

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As always, there wasn’t a shortage of faultfinders when the Tamil Nadu Ranji squad was announced a couple of months ago.

However, the team, which stand on the threshold of glory, have stood up and delivered. Among the doubters’ hit-list, middle-order batsman R. Prasanna and medium pacer V. Yo Mahesh’s names figured prominently.

Speedster J. Kaushik, who should have made it to the state squad much earlier, wasn’t spared either. But the trio’s show in the national championship has made the critics eat humble pie.

Prasanna, who turns 30 this year, produced one of the most significant knocks of his career against domestic giants Mumbai in the semi-final last week. The stylish left-hander held fort after TN had lost their own ‘Fab Four’ for not many.

Prasanna stitched an invaluable 152-run stand with Mahesh to help TN post a respectable total. Prasanna brings a lot more to the table with his brilliant fielding. Prasanna has garnered 403 runs at an average of 40.30. His tally is inclusive of three fifties apart from that stupendous ton.

Yo Mahesh, no doubt, had to justify his selection. And the tall all-rounder did not disappoint. Chipping in with more than useful contributions down the order, Mahesh was coming along well.

But the primary reason he was picked in the squad was to steam in and take wickets — which again, he accomplished with aplomb.

In fact, the defining moment of TN’s campaign this season was provided by Mahesh against Haryana when he unleashed a maverick spell of 6 for 47. His effort set up a thrilling chase for TN.

Making Ranji debut at the age of 26 may not seem ideal, but Kaushik has made the most of it. He got a deserving break after his stellar shows in the first-division matches.

After a commendable debut against Delhi, Kaushik took the centre-stage destroying Maharashtra in their final league game. A deadly spell of 5-1-19-5 dismantled the visitors. Kaushik, with 24 scalps, is TN’s leading wicket-taker.