Chargers sign MP pacer Sudhindra

NAGPUR: The success of the Madhya Pradesh team in the last couple of years was largely due to the brilliant performance of their pacers. Spearheading the bowling attack, TP Sudhindra had delivered almost every time he was asked to bowl by his captain.
The tall lad emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy this season with 40 wickets to his credit.It helped MP reach quarterfinals where they were beaten by formidable Mumbai.
The 27-year-old's dream season with the ball caught the attention of cricketing fraternity and established him as one of the best pacers in the country. The first to notice his outstanding effort was the team management of Deccan Chargers. The former Indian Premier League champions have signed Sudhindra for the IPL-V as one of the five uncapped players.
Continuing his impressive run, Sudhindra guided MP to a comfortable nine-wicket victory over arch-rivals Uttar Pradesh in their opening match of the Vijay Hajare Trophy at VCA Jamtha here on Tuesday. His three-wicket haul (9-3-10-3) ripped apart the strong UP batting line-up underlining his utility in the shorter format of the game too.
"The last few years have been really fruitful for me. After I took 40 wickets in the Ranji Trophy this year, I was sure one of the IPL teams will approach me. I was glad that I got the offer from Deccan which helped me realize my dream of playing in the high-profile league," Sudhindra told TOI on Wednesday.
With Sudhindra's inclusion in the Chargers' side, he became the sixth player from MP after Naman Ojha (Delhi Daredevils), Mohnish Mishra and Harpreet Singh Bhatia (both Pune Warriors), Anand Rajan and Ankit Sharma (both Chargers) to feature in the IPL.
The right-arm pacer is happy to represent Chargers since he originally hails from Andhra Pradesh and his two MP teammates are already in the Hyderabad-based side.
"I was born in AP so it is like joining the home team. My new-ball partner for MP team Anand (Rajan) had done well last year for them (Chargers). I hope we repeat the MP team's success for Chargers too and form the new-ball attack in IPL. I will try to live up to the expectations of my new team. I am all excited to play," said Sudhindra, who had taken 25 wickets last season in Ranji.
A rich haul of 65 wickets in the last two seasons in the Ranji Trophy might help Sudhindra to break into the national side. "I have done my job which is to take wickets. It is now up to the selectors to consider me. I am optimistic about my chances to don the national colours," said Sudhindra, who bats left-handed.