KOCHI: Nineteen-year-old wicket-keeper batsman Sanju V Samson’s call up to the Indian cricket team for the England tour has lifted Kerala cricket, but indications are that more success with the bat beckons upon the state on the cricket field in the years to come.
Among those who are destined to do great things are Salman Nizar who put in a solid display for the state under-19 team and Anand Krishnan and Rohan S Kunnummal who scored heavily for under-16s in the 2013-14 season.
Thiruvananthapuram-based Sport Authority of India coach Biju George who unearthed talents like Sanju and Raiphi Vincent Gomez says the upcoming crop are of a much superior quality than their seniors.
“The quality has gone up manifold in the past few years and many of the youngsters have a very bright future ahead, especially with the exposure they receive these days,” says the coach. One player who has caught the eyes of Biju is 18-year-old Salman.
“Salman has the potential to break into the India under-19 team if he can continue his fine form this season,” says Kerala under-19 team manager K Pramod. Hailing from Thalassery, Salman was Kerala’s highest run-getter in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy last season. Just the other day, he scored an unbeaten 101 against Rajasthan in an under-19 practice match in Hyderabad. In last year’s under-16 matches, two batsmen — Anand and Rohan — stood out. The former amassed a total of 351 runs in the Vijay Merchant Trophy while the latter, from Palakkad, finished with 258 runs. Both are expected to be rewarded with an under-19 call up for the upcoming season.
Ashwin Anand is another player who is tipped for success by the coaches. The 14-year-old, a product of Fort Maidan Academy, Palakkad, has already captained the state under-14 side in two campaigns and appeared for the under-16s in 2013-14 making them south zone champions.
State under-16 coach Bijumon N says that Ashwin stood out in the under-14 category last term. Akshay Manohar of Kollam who scored two tons and two half centuries in the inter-district championships is also expected to step up a level this season.
Prospects did not brighten up overnight for Kerala Cricket Association (KCA). KCA joint secretary Jayesh George says the influx of talent has been the result of years of planning by the state association.
“In the past five five to six years, our cricket academies and sports hostels across the state have been working away with some of the best talents in the state helping them to reach their full potential,” Jayesh says.
“A lot of video and technical analysis of the players have been done which has upped the quality of the youngsters. Moreover, they now have lot of tournaments to ply in and all of them are under the watchful eyes of KCA coaches,” says Biju.
Meanwhile, Sunil Oasis, one of the finest batsmen Kerala has produced and currently a member of KCA’s development committee, says transition to the first class stage would be the key.
“Youngsters have it easy while making their debuts in Ranji Trophy. But carrying on in the same fashion over the next couple of seasons is as important as a good start to the career. If you get runs on board, glory, both individual and team, will follow,” Sunil adds.