Tamil Nadu’s Cooch Behar heroes Pranav and Ambrish excited to take England flight

Earlier this year, Tamil Nadu had won the BCCI Cooch Behar Trophy (under-19) after 33 years.

On Thursday, two key members of that title-winning squad, all-rounder R.S. Ambrish and pacer Pranav Ragavendra, earned their maiden India under-19 call-up for the tour of England next month.

For Ambrish, it has been a roller-coaster year, considering he missed the group stage matches after suffering a collarbone fracture during a warm-up tournament. Once he returned for the knockouts, he delivered by scoring 81 and 85 in the semifinals and final against Maharashtra and Gujarat, respectively. He finished with a tally of 262 runs in four games.

“It is a special feeling for me and my family. I was happy I could make an impact for TN in the knockouts, and winning the title has now given us a chance. I want to build on it and am excited for my first tour abroad,” said the 17-year-old all-rounder who was also part of the specialist fast bowler camp at the NCA recently.

Meanwhile, for Pranav, it is another step in the right direction after he made his Ranji Trophy debut last season and played two matches.

“In the last one year, I have trusted my process and this is a reward for that,” said Pranav who scalped 11 wickets in four games in Cooch Behar.

The 17-year-old credited the role of the MRF Pace foundation, where he worked with Glenn McGrath and former TN coach L. Balaji, for helping him feel welcomed in the senior team. “My target is to do well on this tour and get picked for the Under-19 World Cup next year.”