India’s junior cricketers, born in the Twenty20 era, have proved that they have enough patience and correct technique to be successful in four-day cricket. Pioneer Sport takes a look at their performance in the Ranji Trophy 2013-14 season so far...
Hanuma Vihari
Age: 19
Team: Hyderabad
Matches: 8
Runs: 841
Highest score: 201*
Hundreds: 3
He won matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPl-6 and this Ranji Trophy season contributed well in his side’s campaign. With 841 runs at a brilliant average of 93.44, the Hyderabad batsmen ended up fifth on the list of top-run getters.
Baba Aparajith
Age: 19
Team: Tamil Nadu
Matches: 8
Runs: 584
Highest score: 203
Hundreds: 2
He was one of the superstars of India’s U-19 World Cup victory in 2012. He was Tamil Nadu’s most prolific batsmen this season — an indication of his graduation from junior cricket to senior.
Vijay Zol
Age: 19
Team: Maharashtra
Matches: 6
Runs: 410
Highest score: 200*
Hundreds: 2
His name first came up in the news when he blazed an unbeaten 451 for Maharashtra U-19 team, making it clear he was here for a longer innings. Though it took him two more years to make his First Class debut, he celebrated it with two centuries, including an unbeaten 200. He left Ranji season in between to lead India U-19 to Asia Cup title with a century in the final on Saturday.
lokesh Rahul
Age: 21
Team: Karnataka
Matches: 7
Runs: 777
Highest score: 158
Hundreds: 2
He doesn’t just share his name or the team (Karnataka) with legendary Rahul Dravid, but also has the temperament to play long innings just like the senior Rahul. He has 777 runs from 7 matches with two centuries and three half-centuries - two of them were 90+ scores. He is the 8th top run-getter of 2013-14 season helping his team top the Group A points table.
Sanju Samson
Age: 19
Team: Kerala
Matches: 6
Runs: 543
Highest score: 211
Hundreds: 2
He showed what he is capable of during the Champions league. He took his form to the Ranji Trophy as well and showed that he is able to concentrate for a longer period of time when he batted for around eight hours to score 211 in Kerala’s season opener. He complimented his good season with a century against Pakistan in the Asia Cup final to help India win the tournament on Saturday.