The Tamil Nadu Ranji Trophy pre-season camp is set to be held in Chennai from September 3 to 25. The senior selection committee headed by Sunil Subramaniam on Tuesday announced a 30-member probables list for the premier domestic competition.
There are no major surprises in the Ranji probables list. Among youngsters, pacer D. Deepesh, who was part of the India under-19 World Cup-winning squad earlier this year, has been named in the probables. However, his under-19 teammate R.S. Ambrish, who had already made his First Class debut last year, has been picked in the under-23 squad.
Like the Irani Trophy, which sees the reigning champion take on the Rest of India, the BCCI has introduced a similar match for the under-23 players. Reigning champion Tamil Nadu will take on the Rest of India under-23 team in Dindigul from October 1 to 4. The State selectors have also added nine and 10 players to the developmental squad in both categories, respectively, most of whom are pacers and will train alongside the main squad during the camp. When asked about it, a senior TNCA official explained: “According to regulations, we have fined the player ₹1 lakh for the breach and also stopped him from playing the remainder of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the player who recently came under the BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) scanner during the TNPL has been named in the Ranji probables. Ranji development squad: S. Rajalingam, S. Surya Anand, T.D. Lokesh Raj, M. Ashwin, G. Kishoor, V. Yudheeswaran, B. Emmanuel Cherian, M. Mathivanan, Ashwanth Valthapa. C.K. Nayudu development squad: K. Kevin Romario, B. Sachin, D. Alfred Jacob, Shyaam Sundar, Vedansh Bhavesh Shah, R.I. Kingstein, Suyash Dwivedi, T. Akash Manikandan, K. Sanjay, S. Pavish.
“Their inclusion is part of TNCA’s continued focus on creating a strong platform for emerging talent and developing a wider pool of fast bowlers capable of representing Tamil Nadu across multiple age levels,” read a statement from the TNCA.