Tamil Nadu teens Pranav, Ambrish have high hopes from England U-19 tour

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu young guns Pranav Raghavendra and RS Ambrish are set for their maiden stint with the India U-19 team.

Medium-pacer Pranav and all-rounder Ambrish, both 17, have been picked in the colts squad for the upcoming tour of England, scheduled from June 24. They have made heads turn in the past 12 months, while another TN player, D Deepesh, has been named among the reserves for the multi-format series in the UK.

Pranav is a fast bowler with immense potential and was fast-tracked into the TN Ranji Trophy team last season, making his red-ball debut at just 16.

An MRF Pace Foundation trainee, Pranav was a member of the ‘non-travelling reserves’ group for the U-19 Asia Cup in the UAE last year. “I have worked hard for two years to get selected in the India U-19 side. I am looking at this tour as a stepping stone in my career. I hope to climb the ladder via good performances in U-19 cricket. With this enriching experience, I want to make it big,” Pranav told TOI on Thursday.

As for Ambrish, he has been “rewarded” for the fighting comeback he made after suffering a collar-bone injury at the beginning of the previous season. Ambrish was an integral part of the Cooch Behar Trophy-winning TN U-19 contingent, which Pranav was also a member of. “This is the moment I have been waiting for, but it is just the start,” said Ambrish, a left-handed batter and right-arm medium-pacer.

“I sustained an injury right after scoring a century for TN in a tri-series. I had to undergo surgery and missed the group-stage matches in the Cooch Behar Trophy. I joined the team for the knockouts and performed well. I am just happy that my hard work has paid off,” added Ambrish, one of the heroes for TN in the final of the red-ball tournament.

With pitches in England being conducive to pace bowling, Pranav and Ambrish will enjoy playing on those surfaces. Pranav’s ability to generate good pace without compromising on consistency has made him stand out.

“I was selected by the MRF Pace Foundation last year and have gradually improved my speed over the last 12 months. Glenn McGrath (director of coaching at the foundation) asked me to focus on my strength, which is bowling at a good speed. I feel that my pace is my X-factor; my fastest delivery was clocked at 136 kmph. If I hit the hard-length area with good speed in England, it will help create chances to pick wickets,” said Pranav.

Ambrish, too, is eyeing a productive tour. “I just like to dominate irrespective of the role I am performing; that is the mindset I have every time. The English conditions will be a plus point for the pacers, so I should make good use of them,” said Ambrish, who has been coached by his father R Sukumar since childhood.