Prabhu keen to regain Ranji spot

[1]

At the conclusion of the group stage of the TNCA senior division league, if there was one player who had been a hallmark of consistency with both bat and ball, it has to be off-spinner and batsman M. Prabhu of Jolly Rovers.

For the fourth season on the trot Prabhu crossed the 40-wicket mark, which is a significant achievement and it promises to only get better.

Keeping his feet firmly on the ground, the genial off-spinner is bent on regaining his place in the Tamil Nadu Ranji team.

He is hopeful that his sterling season thus far will enable him to force his way back into the selectors’ reckoning.

“Now that I have established myself in the Jolly Rovers team on the back of some impressive performances with both bat and ball, I am aspiring to play for TN again,” says the 24-year old Prabhu.

Although picked in the team for his ability to take wickets, Prabhu has made concerted efforts at improving his batting and is gladdened to see that his hard work has paid him rewards.

“I have worked hard at the nets to improve my batting. In the first eight rounds I was asked to play in the lower-order.

But since our regular opening batsman got injured, I was required to open the innings from the ninth round onwards. In my very first match against Globe Trotters, I scored 76 and that innings helped instil confidence,” added Prabhu.

Prabhu, who has been the spearhead of his team’s bowling, is pleased that they have made it to the semi-finals and has set his sights firmly on winning the trophy. “We have enough reasons to believe that we can go all the way.

Reaching the knockouts makes me feel proud but we haven’t attained our goal of winning the league in the last two seasons. We have a strong squad.

The strength of our team can be gauged by the fact that despite the absence of three key players in Satish (injury), M. Vijay and Piyush Chawla (who were away on national duty), we were able to qualify for the semi-finals,” said Prabhu.

Elucidating the reasons behind his move to Jolly Rovers from India Pistons, whom he had represented for five years, Prabhu said, “Rovers boast of a more experienced team and have a formidable eleven that can vie for the top-honours on a regular basis. Also on a personal front, I felt that the move would help bring stability to my career.

The experience of being a part of the dressing room that has so many senior players would hold me in good stead for the challenges ahead. The support staff here have been highly encouraging.

I would like to thank all my coaches, Jayakumar (head coach), Ajay Kudua (batting coach) and the former Indian fast-bowler Tinu Youhanan, who is the bowling coach for making me realise my potential,” concluded Prabhu.