Manav Suthar Leads Depleted Rajasthan Against Tamil Nadu as Ranji Trophy Opens in Jaipur

Rajasthan will open their Ranji Trophy campaign against Tamil Nadu at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday, with newly appointed captain Manav Suthar carrying the twin burden of a depleted bowling attack and a state association still mired in administrative turmoil.

Cricket Takes a Backseat in Rajasthan

For the past three years, Rajasthan cricket has generated more headlines off the field than on it. An ad-hoc body has run the show in the absence of a properly elected executive committee, and although Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) elections were finally held on September 29, the Supreme Court stayed the declaration of the results and ordered that they be kept in a sealed cover pending further adjudication.

Suthar's first assignment as captain is therefore as much about focus as it is about tactics.

A Long-Awaited Meeting

The four-day Elite Group D fixture is the first meeting between the two sides in a decade and a half. They last faced each other in the 2011-12 final, which Rajasthan won at the M A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Both squads this time are young and largely inexperienced, making the opener a test of temperament as much as technique.

Rajasthan Hit by Bowling Absences

Rajasthan's resources have been stretched thin. Experienced pacers Khaleel Ahmed, Deepak Chahar and Aniket Choudhary, along with leg-spinner Rahul Chahar, are all missing from the squad through injury or rehabilitation. That leaves left-arm spinner Suthar to marshal a raw attack against a strong Tamil Nadu batting line-up.

Rather than lament the absences, Suthar framed them as an opening for the state's next generation.

“The absence of regular bowlers will provide a golden opportunity for the youngsters to grab the chance and cement their place in the side. They have the potential and that’s why they are selected. Testing their abilities against a solid team like TN will be a big lesson for them,” Suthar told TOI after a practice session on Saturday.

Suthar, who has played three Test matches for India, pointed to the experience still available around him. “Our team also has experienced players like Mahipal Lomror (vice-captain) and left-arm spinner Ajay Kookna. Their presence will certainly help. Kartik Sharma and Mukul Choudhary also have IPL experience with them. We should do well,” he said. Suthar captained Rajasthan in white-ball cricket last season.

Tamil Nadu Handed Sundar Boost

Tamil Nadu received a significant lift when India allrounder Washington Sundar joined the squad on Friday. With S Sai Sudharsan away on India ‘A’ duty, captain R Sai Kishore will look to his remaining batters to capitalise on Rajasthan's weakened bowling unit.

Sai Kishore is also leaning on a group of players promoted after Tamil Nadu's Under-23 national title last season.

“We won the U-23 national title last season. The top performers have been given a chance in the senior side now. They will be eager to perform at this level too,” Sai Kishore told reporters on the eve of the match.

The Squads

Rajasthan: Manav Suthar (captain), Mahipal Lomror (vice-captain), Rohan Rajbar, Sachin Yadav, Sumit Godara, Kartik Sharma, Karan Lamba, Anshul Gadhwal, Mukul Choudhary (WK), Ajay Kookna, Aakash Singh, Chetan Sharma, Hemant Choudhary, Danish Bhamboo, Darshan Jain (WK).

Tamil Nadu: R Sai Kishore (captain), C Andre Siddarth, N Jagadeesan, G Ajitesh, B Indrajith, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Nidhish S Rajagopal, SR Athish, R Vimal Khumar, S Ajith Ram, J Hemchudeshan, P Saravana Kumar, R Sonu Yadav, Esakkimuthu, D Deepesh, G Govinth, Washington Sundar.