Ranji Trophy: Neutral venues 'dent' figures of TN spinners

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu spinners R

Malolan

and Rahil Shah "least expected" to warm the bench for most part of the Ranji Trophy season. Why so? The spin duo - Malolan (off-spin) and Rahil (left-arm) - had together claimed 113 wickets in the previous two seasons and were primarily responsible in scripting most of the wins for TN. But those numbers were largely aided by the turning tracks at TN's Chepauk fortress.

TN spinners had a ball, while the pacers hardly played three or four games at a stretch.
But the neutral venues concept this time around has "dented" the figures of spinners. And the roles have been reversed.

A green top welcomed Tamil Nadu at Lahli for the season opener to trigger the selection headache for TN management. Rahil got the first look, Malolan next at Bilaspur and after a couple of games, left-arm spinner Aushik Srinivas, who had played only one match in 2015-2016 season, carried on till the semifinal.

Malolan. (TOI Photo)

"Surprise" soon turned "disappointment" for Rahil (2 matches, 2 wickets) and Malolan (4 matches, six wickets) as they couldn't break into the playing eleven as lead spinners, which they thought they were ahead of the season, ever since Aushik claimed six wickets

In fact, Aushik himself admits that he knew prior to the season that he was the "third in the order" and had to wait for his chance. Aushik eventually claimed 20 wickets in seven matches this season.

The question is who is the lead spinner in Tamil Nadu, leaving R Ashwin aside? Tamil Nadu bowling coach

L Balaji

said there isn't anything as such like lead spinner or lead pacer.

"I don't believe in those things (strike bowlers) unless one represents India. There is no state in domestic cricket which will have a lead spinner or bowler who hadn't played for the country. All three spinners are at the same phase. It was hard to drop Malolan or Rahil or Aushik. But one has to understand that we can play only one spinner on most pitches because of the conditions," Balaji told TOI on Thursday.

Rahil Shah. (TOI Photo)Though Balaji admitted the neutral venues has "taken a hit" on the spinners in general, he said that tweakers need to rise to the challenge.

"We are in a transition phase. Yes, wickets up north didn't offer much for spinners. But they (spinners) should take it as a challenge…saying no matter, what the wicket is, I will play and get wickets like a Graeme Swann, who did well in English conditions. There have been a lot of legendary spinners from the north and they didn't play in dry conditions. They understood the challenges and became the best irrespective of the conditions.

"I don't see any team playing two spinners if we keep playing in neutral venues. But spinners shouldn't think of things which is not in their control. They should work hard, bowl well and earn their place. If you are fighting for one place, then the other two have to make way. All three are working hard. Also the game is fast paced. There are a lot of factors such as the technical adjustments needed (flight, variation etc), different formats, the condition and a batsman's approach which has to be considered," added the 35-year-old.

Spinners' take on the season:

Malolan: It's disappointing. I never expected to sit in the bench. But I respect the team's decision. I worked very hard on my batting. I did well as an allrounder (6 wickets and 87 runs) in the win against Railways…I believe that I'm an allrounder. I don't want to say in words about the next season but I have to do it in action as and when I get the opportunity.

Rahil Shah: I went into the season thinking that I would be playing most of the matches. I was surprised and a bit upset when I was dropped. But I took it in my stride. I knew it was about one left-arm spinner. The coaches felt that Aushik bowled well in nets and credit to him, he did well in the matches he played. I discussed with our coaches on how to become better.

R Aushik Srinivas: I knew that I was third in the order because I had played only one match in the season before this. But I had prepared well so that I grab the opportunity as and when it comes. Though Malolan and Rahil didn't play, they were giving me a lot of inputs in the dressing room which really helped me out.