Tamil Nadu – The Hindu

Achyuth feels his bouncer has been particularly effective.
| Photo Credit: File Photo: M. PERIASAMY

For a bowler playing only his second white-ball match for Tamil Nadu, pacer C.V. Achyuth’s six-for (six for 31) against Jammu and Kashmir in the fourth round of the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy was a welcome surprise.

It was the second-best bowling figures for Tamil Nadu in the tournament history.

Skipper Sai Kishore felt that the inexperienced Achyuth showing that he belongs at this level served his purpose of making Tamil Nadu live up to its potential as a white-ball powerhouse.

Achyuth was surprised to be named in the squad to begin with. “It was amazing, actually. It’s my first time playing for the Tamil Nadu senior team. And being a part of the white-ball squad is a huge thing. Because, Tamil Nadu is always very power-packed. I was a little surprised because I hadn’t played a lot of white-ball cricket. Looking at the senior players, I didn’t really expect it (his inclusion). It was a good feeling,” he said over the phone on Saturday.

His skipper marked him as someone who is “very eager to learn and willing to work hard”.

So, what has he learned, if at all, in the two matches he’s played? “I felt there are differences between the cricket I had previously played and the cricket at this level. You have to be in the game for every ball. You can’t slack off for even one ball. You have to keep the same intensity,” he said.

Sai Kishore described him as “a strong athletic guy with a sharp bouncer.”

Achyuth also feels that his bouncer has been particularly effective. “In this game, my bouncer was a little helpful. I ended up claiming three wickets with my bouncer. Even in Buchi Babu (all-India tournament), it was helpful. I get a sharp bounce to an extent.”