Sreejith in ranji team

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It was cloudy, but a fine morning and even though the covers had to be pulled over to keep the wickets dry, the boys were chirpy and charged up as ever and one boy in particular was all smiles.

The Kerala cricket team for the Ranji Trophy season had just been announced and Ernakulam boy K.R.

Sreejith could not ask for any better gift on his 25th birthday. The left-arm spinner had made into first-15 list.

“It is a great feeling, I am thankful,” said a delighted Sreejith. Will you be cutting cake with the teammates? “Yes , of course it is a special day,” said Sreejith, geared up to play his third consecutive season.

“In my first season I played one match and last time I appeared in the first three matches for the state and it is always good to find a place again. I want to make every opportunity count,” he said.

Meanwhile, one of the senior most players in the side and also the second highest wicket taker last season, Sony Cheruvathur has high hopes about the fine blend of players in the squad.

“On many occasions we had come quite close to making the elite and on our days we have beaten a lot of tough opponents. This time we stand a greater chance of making it to the elite,” former captain Sony said.

“Almost every team, except ours has guest players, mostly former test cricketers and that’s an added advantage for those sides. In a way that is good for us too because we have our players and anything we achieve will be completely credited to us,” Sony added.

Kerala Cricket Association secretary T.C. Mathew said, “In the next two or three years Kerala will make unprecedented strides in cricket not just in the senior level, but in all categories.”

With the likes of senior campaigners such as Sony and young and enterprising boys like Sreejith the Kerala team is raring to make an impact, but in the meanwhile it is time to join Sreejith’s birthday party.