Balaji sounds a warning

I am sure we’ll provide a challenging contest - that is paceman Laxmipathi Balaji’s warning on part of Tamil Nadu to the Mumbai te...

I am sure we’ll provide a challenging contest – that is paceman Laxmipathi Balaji’s warning on part of Tamil Nadu to the Mumbai team ahead of the Ranji Trophy final which starts here from Sunday.

The 22-year-old seamer knows what he’s talking about. With his tally this season touching a whopping 44 wickets from six matches (inclusive of three ten-wicket and seven five-wicket hauls) he can well afford to talk tough.

A strenous two-hour session at the Wankhede Stadium and the tall player, who is into the final year of graduation (B Com) at Chennai, still appears fresh despite the heat and energy-sapping humidity.

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Ask him about the final and he bursts out, ‘‘We had a good match against Delhi (the semi-final) and hopefully we should get a good track to bowl on here.’’

A positive outlook from a bowler who made a forgettable ODI debut (against West Indies at Baroda, last year) returning with figures of 4-0-44-0.

Probe him a little more about what went wrong on his debut and he remains straight faced. ‘‘It wasn’t pressure for sure but then I can’t again offer excuses. I would only say that of late I’m bowling quite well and I wish that I get a good break again to prove myself at that level.’’

The MRF Pace Academy product known for his piercing in-cutters and yorkers says bowling a good line is his main aim. ‘‘It’s very important for one to keep a good line on Indian wickets. Accuracy and consistency are must.’’

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Following Javagal Srinath and Glenn McGrath as his idols, Balaji says he does a lot of work at the gymnasium and concentrates on ground fielding to keep in top shape.

A music buff and keen follower of tennis and football, this ChemPlast employee will surely be among the one to watch, displaying his skills alongside top guns Ajit Agarkar and Avishkar Salvi of Mumbai.