Small technical changes can lead to big rewards. Till last season, Baba Aparajith moved only his rear leg as he played back-and-across. Now, after working on the issue with personal coach S. Balaji during off-season, he shifts both his back and front legs during his initial back-and-across movement. This has lent both stability and assurance to his batting.
The 19-year-old Aparajith is in roaring form. It’s not just the amount of runs that he has made but the manner in which he has done so that has convinced many that this lad could well be on his way to an India call-up at some stage.
The compact Aparajith has scores of 212 and 109 against West and Central Zones in the Duleep Trophy and 203 and 118 versus Services and Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy this season.
He walked in, on occasions, at difficult times but batted with the temperament of a champion. “While the situation is always at the back of my mind, I have learnt to switch on and switch off, during the delivery and after it, keep my focus, and play the ball on merit. I have learnt to play in the ‘present moment’,” he told The Hindu on Friday.
Deeply influenced by his idol Rahul Dravid, Aparajith is impressive off his backfoot; a healthy sign in a young batsman. In fact, his well-made 78 for India ‘A’ against the West Indies ‘A’ in a one-dayer in Bangalore, was punctuated by some quality backfoot punches through covers and cuts.
“It was in Australia during the one-day under-19 quadrangular series and in the Under-19 World Cup that I learnt the value of backfoot play. The surfaces offered bounce and I had to adjust,” he said.
Aparajith has shots off either foot but his game stems from strong fundamentals. His footwork is precise and his range of strokes diverse.
Source of strength
Twin brother Indrajith, a capable batsman himself, has been an immense source of strength for Aparajith. “He spots things about me during play that I am not able to do myself.” The soft-spoken Aparajith conceded the transition from the under-19 to first class level could be demanding mentally, but was pleased he had now made the adjustment.
“My seniors in the Tamil Nadu side have been of immense help,” he acknowledged. His urge to be in the game at all times has seen Aparajith develop into a useful off-spinner and a terrific all-round fielder. “I want to be a genuine all-rounder,” he said.
Watch out for this bundle of talent in the days ahead.
