Ranji Trophy | Adapting and reinventing help Athish step up his game

Tamil Nadu opener S.R. Athish believes his recent Ranji Trophy innings – 50 and a career-best 88 against Odisha – mark an important step in his evolution as a batter, as he learns to balance his natural shot-making instincts with the demands of long-form cricket.

Reflecting on the contrast between his two knocks in the ongoing match at the KIIT Stadium here, Athish acknowledged that the first was more about survival than expression.

“The wicket was keeping a bit low, and there was seam movement early. The plan was to see off the new ball because once it gets older, the lateral movement reduces,” he said on Saturday. That understanding, gained the hard way in the first innings, shaped his approach the second time around. “That’s why, when I started this (second) innings, I started very slowly,” said the 21-year-old.

With movement off the pitch dying down quicker in the second innings, Athish felt freer to expand his game. “Run-making became easier. I could bring out my shots a bit earlier,” he explained, underlining the visible difference between a scratchy but gritty first effort and a more compact, occasionally flamboyant second innings.

In terms of inspiration, the left-hander said he closely studies “videos of Usman Khawaja’s batting,” breaking down “shot selection, when to play them, and technique.” Khawaja’s “open stance,” in particular, resonates with him.

Looking ahead, Athish feels encouraged by what he describes as a shift in Tamil Nadu’s batting culture. “Earlier, it was more about surviving. Now, batters are looking to score runs and put bowlers under pressure,” he said.