CHENNAI: Contrary to expectations, there has been an unprecedented demand for local players, and not outstation counterparts, in the TNCA senior division league transfer window, which ends on June 30.
Taking a cue from Vijay CC that won the senior division title without any outstation player, club secretaries are busy scouting local talents. Ranji discard KH Gopinath has been the biggest draw, and he switched loyalty from Jolly Rovers to Youngstars, who have been busy strengthening their squad after moving to the senior division. “Gopinath has been our biggest fetch this season. He is batting well and is an accomplished wicketkeeper, having played for the state as early as 2007. His experience will come in handy. Plus we have Ganesh Satish, who played for Vidarbha last season and S Stephen (left-arm seamer) from Andhra. We have a balanced attack,’’ said R Rangarajan, in-charge of cricket operations of the Kalpathi group that runs the team.
“Vishal Vaidhya, Ra Aravind and SK Balaji (all played for IOB last year) are the new crop of youngsters who will lend depth to our line-up,’’ added Rangarajan.
Jolly Rovers, too, didn’t go for big names. “We have Vikas Mishra who played for Alwarpet last year, besides new recruit Jayant Yadav. Ankit Bawne will play for Alwarpet with Deepak Hooda,’’ informed Rovers’ mentor Bharath Reddy.
Sources said Shledon and Anthony Dhas have been roped in by Globe Trotters.
