Ranji Trophy 2023-24: Flying below the radar, Sandeep Warrier has been pivotal in Tamil Nadu’s dominance

Tamil Nadu has steamrolled opposition on its technique to the semifinals with 5 outright wins and a big a part of that has been all the way down to the efforts of left-arm spinners R. Sai Kishore (47 wickets) and S. Ajith Ram (41), who’re ranked prime two on the wicket charts this season (Elite group) to date.

However, one one who has flown below the radar has been tempo spearhead Sandeep Warrier. The 32-year-old’s 23 scalps have performed a key function in TN bowling out all its opponents twice this season.

Despite TN enjoying 5 of its eight video games at house, the place spinners rule the roost on sluggish, dry pitches, Warrier has discovered a technique to be nonetheless efficient.

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“The one thing Bala bhai (bowling coach L. Balaji) has been telling me is to take the pitch out of the equation. So that is what I have been trying to do, and it has helped me,” Warrier mentioned on his methodology to achieve spin-friendly situations.

The former Kerala pacer spoke about taking a leaf out of Jasprit Bumrah’s playbook, saying, “Whatever the pitch conditions are, he has been able to get the results. He is focused more on his skillset and how he can play with the batter.”

“If you think the pitch is slow and there is no bounce, you will feel low about it. You may not give 100 per cent and become defensive. But when you take the pitch out of the equation, the only intent is to get wickets,” he added.

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One of the explanations for TN’s lack of success within the Ranji Trophy has been the dearth of depth in its bowling assault, nevertheless it now has a line-up for many situations.

“Last year, we got nearly 130 (128) wickets in seven matches but were unlucky in the first three games. So before this season, Sai (Kishore) and I decided to take responsibility in pressure situations. But with M. Mohammad and Ajith Ram doing well, instead of two of us trying to take 15-16 wickets every match, four of us started taking 20 wickets, which has helped the team,” he added.