While 2020 was a challenging year on all fronts, the next 12 months will be crucial for Tamil Nadu sportspersons, who will be gunning for glory in international events such as the T20 World Cup and the Olympic Games. Going by their performances in the past year, one can expect them to pass with flying colours.
Natarajan and Varun Chakravarthy.
Chennai: CRICKET
NATARAJA OF YORKERS
Left-arm pacer Thangarasu Natarajan was the cynosure of all eyes in 2020, shining in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and on his maiden international assignment in Australia. Having got a taste of ODI and T20I cricket Down Under, Natarajan, a reserve bowler for the ongoing Test series, would hope to feature in the longest format given the number of injuries in the pace-bowling department. When the 29-year-old was handed an opportunity in the T20 series, he grabbed it with both hands, impressing national team skipper Virat Kohli. With the T20 World Cup set to be hosted in India this year, death overs specialist Natarajan will look to continue his rich vein of form and cement his place in the playing eleven.
VARUN THE RIPPER
On the cricketing front, 2020 was a mixed year for mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) slow bowler, coming back from a long-term injury, made heads turn in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). His performances were so good that the KKR management were fine with dropping Kuldeep Yadav. Taking notice of his fine IPL showing, the national team selectors called him up for the first time for the Australia tour. But, the 29-year-old unfortunately couldn’t board the flight Down Under as he sustained an injury. Known for foxing rival batsmen with his variations, Varun will aim to get back into India’s scheme of things in 2021. If fully fit, the spin bowler could use the five-match T20 series against England as a platform to stake a claim for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad.
400 BECKONS ASHWIN
In top form in the ongoing four-match Test series between India and host Australia, ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has 375 wickets under his belt in the longest format. 25 scalps short of the 400-wicket mark in Test cricket, the 34-yearold is expected to achieve the feat in the upcoming four-match home series against England. Ashwin will have the opportunity to reach the milestone at his home as the opening two Tests between India and England will be hosted at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Also, Ashwin will knock on the doors of the national selectors for a place in the limited overs squad. With Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav failing to nail down a spot in recent times, all is not over for Ashwin in white ball cricket.
FOOTBALL - INDIAN VERSION OF ROMARIO
After clinching back-to-back I-League titles with Chennai City FC (CCFC) and Mohun Bagan, midfielder Alexander Romario Jesuraj is making waves with FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) Season 7 in Goa. In his eight appearances, the wideman has registered three assists. The 24-year-old is the third-highest assist-maker in the league behind the Mumbai City FC (MCFC) duo of Hugo Boumous and Bipin Singh. As Romario is one of the best performing Indian wingers in ISL 2020-21, the Dindigul-born lad could force his way into the national set-up in 2021. His performances come as a boost as no other Tamil Nadu player is a regular at the Indian National Team, which is coached by Croatian Igor Stimac. A key component of the FC Goa squad, Romario will also participate in the 2021 edition of the AFC Champions League (AFC CL), the top-level continental competition in Asia.
ATHLETICS - RAJIV RARING TO MAKE A MARK
Having already booked his ticket to the Olympic Games in Tokyo along with the rest of the 4x400m mixed relay contingent, Arokia Rajiv will aim to come up with a good performance at the international event. An Asian Games gold medallist in the same category, Rajiv was out of action competitively in 2020 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, the 29-year-old has been putting in the hard yards at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centre in Patiala. The 4x400 men’s relay team, in which Rajiv is a key member, hasn’t qualified for the Olympics yet, but would fancy its chances of making it to Tokyo.
NATARAJA OF YORKERS
Left-arm pacer Thangarasu Natarajan was the cynosure of all eyes in 2020, shining in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and on his maiden international assignment in Australia. Having got a taste of ODI and T20I cricket Down Under, Natarajan, a reserve bowler for the ongoing Test series, would hope to feature in the longest format given the number of injuries in the pace-bowling department. When the 29-year-old was handed an opportunity in the T20 series, he grabbed it with both hands, impressing national team skipper Virat Kohli. With the T20 World Cup set to be hosted in India this year, death overs specialist Natarajan will look to continue his rich vein of form and cement his place in the playing eleven.
VARUN THE RIPPER
On the cricketing front, 2020 was a mixed year for mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) slow bowler, coming back from a long-term injury, made heads turn in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). His performances were so good that the KKR management were fine with dropping Kuldeep Yadav. Taking notice of his fine IPL showing, the national team selectors called him up for the first time for the Australia tour. But, the 29-year-old unfortunately couldn’t board the flight Down Under as he sustained an injury. Known for foxing rival batsmen with his variations, Varun will aim to get back into India’s scheme of things in 2021. If fully fit, the spin bowler could use the five-match T20 series against England as a platform to stake a claim for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad.
400 BECKONS ASHWIN
In top form in the ongoing four-match Test series between India and host Australia, ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has 375 wickets under his belt in the longest format. 25 scalps short of the 400-wicket mark in Test cricket, the 34-yearold is expected to achieve the feat in the upcoming four-match home series against England. Ashwin will have the opportunity to reach the milestone at his home as the opening two Tests between India and England will be hosted at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Also, Ashwin will knock on the doors of the national selectors for a place in the limited overs squad. With Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav failing to nail down a spot in recent times, all is not over for Ashwin in white ball cricket.
FOOTBALL - INDIAN VERSION OF ROMARIO
After clinching back-to-back I-League titles with Chennai City FC (CCFC) and Mohun Bagan, midfielder Alexander Romario Jesuraj is making waves with FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) Season 7 in Goa. In his eight appearances, the wideman has registered three assists. The 24-year-old is the third-highest assist-maker in the league behind the Mumbai City FC (MCFC) duo of Hugo Boumous and Bipin Singh. As Romario is one of the best performing Indian wingers in ISL 2020-21, the Dindigul-born lad could force his way into the national set-up in 2021. His performances come as a boost as no other Tamil Nadu player is a regular at the Indian National Team, which is coached by Croatian Igor Stimac. A key component of the FC Goa squad, Romario will also participate in the 2021 edition of the AFC Champions League (AFC CL), the top-level continental competition in Asia.
ATHLETICS - RAJIV RARING TO MAKE A MARK
Having already booked his ticket to the Olympic Games in Tokyo along with the rest of the 4x400m mixed relay contingent, Arokia Rajiv will aim to come up with a good performance at the international event. An Asian Games gold medallist in the same category, Rajiv was out of action competitively in 2020 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, the 29-year-old has been putting in the hard yards at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centre in Patiala. The 4x400 men’s relay team, in which Rajiv is a key member, hasn’t qualified for the Olympics yet, but would fancy its chances of making it to Tokyo.
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