Vijay Shankar, Baba Aparajith return to Tamil Nadu Ranji Trophy side

All-rounder Vijay Shankar and Baba Aparajith returned to the Tamil Nadu team which will take on Mumbai in a Ranji Trophy Group “C” match set to be played in Mumbai from October 24. Shankar and Aparajith were unavailable for the first two games so far because they were part of the India “A” squad that played the visiting New Zealand “A” in a limited-overs series. Their return will now bolster the side that would be without the services of wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik who is in the Indian squad facing the senior New Zealand side.

Murali Vijay, who missed the second match against Tripura owing to a neck spasm, is back in the squad. Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been “rested” from the Indian squad that will take on New Zealand in a three-match ODI series, will spearhead the spin attack that will also include Rahil S Shah, MS Washington Sundar and R Sai Kishore. Ashwin’s inclusion as the senior offie meant that Malolan had to sit out the match in TN’s two previous matches against Andhra and Tripura. However, it is understood that the team and the spinners, in particular, will be happy to have Ashwin in their ranks.

Pacer V Yo Mahesh was the surprise pick in the 16-man squad while newbie paceman V Lakshman, Malolan Rangarajan and J Kousik have been dropped.

According to a TNCA media release, Opener V Ganga Sridhar Raju has also been included.

Tamil Nadu has not got the ideal start with four points from two drawn games against Andhra Pradesh and Tripura. The team conceded the first innings lead against Andhra and had to settle for just one point.

Team: Abhinav Mukund (captain), B Indrajith (vice-captain), M Vijay, M Kaushik Gandhi, B Aparajith, Vijay Shankar, N Jagadeesan (WK), M S Washington Sundar, R Sai Kishore, Rahil S Shah, K Vignesh, R Ashwin, V Yo Mahesh, L Vignesh, R Rohith (WK) and V Ganga Sridhar Raju.