Aditya Barooah relishing his role as U-19 TN skipper

“I have been representing the U-19s for the past three years. I’m enjoying this new role as captain. Our coach, Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan, has helped me a lot with his pep talk and some key suggestions, and I should also thank my team-mates for being co-operative. As a captain, I just trust my instincts like I do as a batsman and I’m always proactive on the field,” said Aditya.

Born and raised in Assam for 13 long years, Aditya’s family moved to Chennai six years ago to help him pursue his cricketing ambitions. “Even as a child, I was passionate about cricket and becoming a cricketer was something I always dreamt of. I play for UFCC (T. Nagar) in the TNCA First Division League and for Chepauk Super Gillies in the TNPL,” added the 19-year-old opening batsman.

Although he was part of the Super Gillies’ squad, Aditya never got a chance to showcase his talent in both the editions. “I was in with a good shout of breaking into the team for the second season but I had to attend the National Cricket Academy camp in Bengaluru that coincided with the TNPL dates. I like playing in all formats but I love the longer version of the game the most. I describe myself as an old-school batsman who likes to occupy the crease,” said Aditya, who is an ardent admirer of Hashim Amla.

Ask him about his goals and he says he has none apart from being the best in whatever he does. “I never set any targets. The only objective I have is to be the best batsman. Tamil Nadu has had a lot of ups and downs in this year’s Cooch Behar Trophy. I failed to contribute in the last two outings. But I have got back into the groove with a big hundred against Odisha and I look forward to continuing in the same vein,” concluded Aditya.

Tamil Nadu dominates play: Tamil Nadu skipper Aditya Barooah scored an unbeaten century against Odisha in the Cooch Behar Trophy (Under-19) Group A match at the TNCA Academy in Theni.

Brief scores: Tamil Nadu 332 for one in 92 overs (Aditya Barooah 176*, Nidish S Rajagopal 89, Pradosh Ranjan Paul 63*) versus Odisha