Vidyuth spins Tamil Nadu to victory

When Tamil Nadu Under-19s won the toss at the MA Chidambaram Stadium at Chepauk and asked Goa Under-19s to take the field in the Cooch Behar Trophy 1999-2000, their captain Vidyuth Sivaramakrishnan was in his element. Although he had very little role to play with the bat, Tamil Nadu managed to muster up a more than decent 311/9 declared.

Goa is not a team that usually generates shivers in the opposition. Even granted that, all the Under-19 players were keen to do well, as this was a golden opportunity to catch the eye of the selectors. When Goa Under-19s walked out to bat they were up against the strength of the Tamil Nadu Under-19s bowling. A slow 36 from SM  Asnodkar at the top of the innings was the only form of resistance the Goa Under-19s team could offer as they were dismissed for a paltry 109.

Vidyuth had no hesitation in asking Goa Under-19s to follow on. As a left arm spinner, he has, on more than one occasion not been given a long enough spell by his captain. No such problems on this occasion. Bowling with perfect rhythm, Vidyuth sent down 19 overs of classical left arm spin. The result, defeat by an innings and 120 runs for Goa Under-19s. His lethal spell reduced Goa Under-19s to 82 all out, less even than what they managed in the first innings. Having captured 5/15 including 10 maidens, Vidyuth was easily the pick of the bowlers.

Apart from blowing away Goa Under-19s in their second innings, it was to Vidyuth's side that he led the Tamil Nadu Under-19 side to a comfortable victory. Captaincy at the Under-19 level is not always a bed of roses. Having extracted the best from inexperienced cricketers, Vidyuth would have risen in the esteem of the selectors.