The ‘All 10’ is every bowler’s dream, but very few achieve it in their careers. The 15-year- old Ra. Anantaajith performed this rare feat during Eswar Cricket Academy’s recent tour of Dharmapuri. In a stunning spell, the medium-pacer dismissed all Shri BCR CA (Dharmapuri) batsmen in the second innings of the ‘four-day Test’ final of the OnlySuccess under-17 tournament at the Jayam College of Engineering. His astonishing figures read 16.2-7- 28-10; even more remarkable was the fact that nine of the batsmen were bowled while the other was caught and bowled! About the incredible percentage of bowled victims and the high number of maiden overs, Anantaajith said: “I try to bowl stump-to-stump, concentrating more on accuracy than pace. The batsman gets choked and starts to feel the pressure. That is the time to move in for the kill.”
Coach E. Chinraj was lavish in his praise of the youngster’s work-ethic. “He begins the day at 4.30 with a fitness regimen for around two hours. After that, he moves on to fielding drills and batting at the nets. The bowling session lasts six to seven hours these days since his classes are yet to start,” said Chinraj. Anantaajith’s performances have earned him a place in the TNCA league where he will represent Singaravelar in the fifth division. His goal is to play in the IPL, but Anantaajith has already managed what many players can only dream of — the All 10!
The scores (final): Shri BCR CA 183 in 62 overs (Kovaradhan 52, Ukesh Kumar 35, S. Sreyas seven for 35, Ra. Anantaajith three for 18) and 118 in 35.2 overs (Gokul 43, Poovarasan 25, Ra. Anantaajith 10 for 28) lost to Eswar Cricket Academy 263 in 81 overs (Richard 54, Ra. Anantaajith 47, Mrutyunjay 35, Nirmal Chakravarthi seven for 97) and 40 for three in seven overs.
