Latest news with #CoochBeharTrophy
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu teens Pranav, Ambrish have high hopes from England U-19 tour
Pranav Raghavendra CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu young guns Pranav Raghavendra and RS Ambrish are set for their maiden stint with the India U-19 team. Medium-pacer Pranav and all-rounder Ambrish, both 17, have been picked in the colts squad for the upcoming tour of England, scheduled from June 24. They have made heads turn in the past 12 months, while another TN player, D Deepesh, has been named among the reserves for the multi-format series in the UK. Pranav is a fast bowler with immense potential and was fast-tracked into the TN Ranji Trophy team last season, making his red-ball debut at just 16. An MRF Pace Foundation trainee, Pranav was a member of the 'non-travelling reserves' group for the U-19 Asia Cup in the UAE last year. 'I have worked hard for two years to get selected in the India U-19 side. I am looking at this tour as a stepping stone in my career. I hope to climb the ladder via good performances in U-19 cricket. With this enriching experience, I want to make it big,' Pranav told TOI on Thursday. As for Ambrish, he has been 'rewarded' for the fighting comeback he made after suffering a collar-bone injury at the beginning of the previous season. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Ambrish was an integral part of the Cooch Behar Trophy-winning TN U-19 contingent, which Pranav was also a member of. 'This is the moment I have been waiting for, but it is just the start,' said Ambrish, a left-handed batter and right-arm medium-pacer. 'I sustained an injury right after scoring a century for TN in a tri-series. I had to undergo surgery and missed the group-stage matches in the Cooch Behar Trophy. I joined the team for the knockouts and performed well. I am just happy that my hard work has paid off,' added Ambrish, one of the heroes for TN in the final of the red-ball tournament. With pitches in England being conducive to pace bowling, Pranav and Ambrish will enjoy playing on those surfaces. Pranav's ability to generate good pace without compromising on consistency has made him stand out. 'I was selected by the MRF Pace Foundation last year and have gradually improved my speed over the last 12 months. Glenn McGrath (director of coaching at the foundation) asked me to focus on my strength, which is bowling at a good speed. I feel that my pace is my X-factor; my fastest delivery was clocked at 136 kmph. If I hit the hard-length area with good speed in England, it will help create chances to pick wickets,' said Pranav. Ambrish, too, is eyeing a productive tour. 'I just like to dominate irrespective of the role I am performing; that is the mindset I have every time. The English conditions will be a plus point for the pacers, so I should make good use of them,' said Ambrish, who has been coached by his father R Sukumar since childhood.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
New Tamil Nadu U-19 coach Yo Mahesh looks to create pool of pacers
Yo Mahesh had two coaching stints in TNPL CHENNAI: Newly-appointed Tamil Nadu men's U-19 team head coach V Yo Mahesh has set his priorities right. While his ultimate objective is to successfully defend the Cooch Behar Trophy , which TN captured after 33 long years, former India 'A' and TN fast bowler Yo Mahesh made it clear that he will allot fair weightage to grooming a pool of pacers for the senior side. Fast bowling has been a perennial weakness for TN in the Ranji Trophy, with the pacemen unable to match the standards set by championship-winning teams. But there have been a few good signs recently – a case in point being the fast-tracking of RD Pranav Ragavendra , the young pacer who made his Ranji debut at 16 last season. 'It (developing fast bowlers ) is one of my priorities. We do not have a good core of pacers and that is the reason why we have not been consistent in Ranji. Operation Sindoor How India shut down Pakistan's second desperate bid to escalate tensions Pak used civilian planes as shield to launch failed drone attack: India S-400, Spyder, Akash: What is in India's air defence arsenal? When I was part of the 2011-12 team that reached the final, we had four-five solid fast bowlers. We need to have about six fast bowlers who are always available for selection,' Yo Mahesh, who had coaching spells at TNPL teams Tiruppur Tamizhans and Dindigul Dragons, told TOI. 'We saw Pranav make it to the Ranji team. I am sure that he was selected because of his ability. But having ability is one thing, going there and excelling is another.' Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money Expertinspector Click Here Undo Yo Mahesh highlighted the importance of sending these youngsters to the senior team as 'finished products' who get going straight away. For instance, Pranav needed time to adapt to the demands of the Ranji Trophy, managing only two wickets in three innings. 'It is important to guide the young bowlers on how to excel at that level. I want to set them up for the next three-four years. Once they go to the main team, they should hit the ground running immediately; there should not be a phase where they are only learning for two years,' said Yo Mahesh, a soon-to-be BCCI Level II coach. 'TN should consistently have a pool of fast bowlers and for that, the ground work must be done at the U-19 level. I know how important U-19 cricket and the pathway to the top are; only because of U-19 cricket did I get recognised and play at a high level. It is a phase where players can grow,' added Yo Mahesh, presently on IPL commentary duty. Set for his maiden coaching stint with a state side, Yo Mahesh is up for a potentially tough test ahead. 'In domestic cricket, U-19 is the best place to start; it will help me get into the thick of things. Taking charge of a title-winning team is a good challenge. The team had set a level of expectation last year and we have to match it this season. By hook or by crook, we have to retain the red-ball title (Cooch Behar Trophy),' said Yo Mahesh.
Business Standard
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Yusuf Pathan Inaugurates the 36th Center of Cricket Academy of Pathans (CAP) in Bhilwara (Rajasthan)
PNN Bhilwara (Rajasthan) [India], May 8: Cricket Academy of Pathans (CAP) is thrilled to announce the grand inauguration of its latest center at Noble International School in Bhilwara by cricketing legend Mr. Yusuf Pathan. As the Director of the Cricket Academy of Pathans (CAP), Pathan's presence at the inauguration promises to inspire local youth and uplift the cricketing spirit in the region. At the event, Mr. Yusuf Pathan engaged with aspiring cricketers, sharing his invaluable insights and inspiring career stories that captivated the audience. The academy aims to nurture local talent and build a robust pipeline of future stars in cricket. As we expand into Bhilwara, we are excited about the opportunity to uncover hidden talent in this vibrant city," said Mr. Harmeet Vasdev, Managing Director of CAP. "With over 15,000 students trained across more than 35 centres, we continue to nurture potential cricketers nationwide through world-class training and state-of-the-art infrastructure". CAP has a successful track record of mentoring players, with over 400 cricketers participating in district, zonal and national tournaments, including prestigious competitions such as the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, C K Nayudu Trophy, and Cooch Behar Trophy. " The recent selection of several CAP trainees to the National Cricket Academy (NCA), along with our former coach Raghu Sharma joining the Mumbai Indians squad recently, is a strong endorsement of the academy's quality coaching and structured pathways offered at CAP centres. We're confident that Bhilwara will also produce fantastic talents who can carry forward the legacy of Indian cricket," added Mr. Vasdev. In line with modern coaching methodologies, the new centre in Bhilwara will be equipped with advanced technologies like Stance Beam, which offers players real-time feedback and in-depth analysis to enhance their performance.
