After a smashing start to SMAT, TNPL star Rajkumar sets sights on the IPL

R. Rajkumar not only got to make his Tamil Nadu debut at 32 in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, but also hammered an unbeaten 93 (43b, 6×4, 8×6) in only his third match to help his team chase down 165 and post a five-wicket win over Uttarakhand here on Sunday.

A day later, Rajkumar dedicated the knock to his late father.

“Senior Tamil Nadu players, Ashwin anna (R. Ashwin) and Anirudha (Srikkanth), called and appreciated me. They motivated me to continue to do well. I was very happy.

“It was my father’s dream to see me play for Tamil Nadu and in the IPL. But he passed away in 2019. I dedicate this knock to him,” said the pace-bowling all-rounder on Monday.

In the TNPL this year, Rajkumar scored 200 runs from eight innings at an average of 40 and a strike rate of 198.01, the best among those who had scored at least 200 runs. He also picked up four wickets from seven innings at an economy rate of 7.52 for the Trichy Grand Cholas.

“After the TNPL, Robin Singh sir (TNCA consultant) spoke with me. He said that I had a good game but needed to improve my fitness. So, I underwent a three-month TNCA training programme. There was also a one-week preparatory camp for the SMAT probables at the MAC-B (Chepauk) ground. Both were very helpful,” he said.

Rajkumar has attended the Kolkata Knight Riders, Delhi Capitals, and Chennai Super Kings trials for the upcoming IPL season. Also, Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel and Mumbai Indians talent scout John Wright were in attendance to witness his onslaught on Sunday.

“I had gone for the MI trials in 2016. I struggled with my batting that time. But this time, I could see that I’ve improved a lot from the way I batted at those trials,” he said.