(Cricket News) S Ajith Ram finds himself amidst intense competition, often contending for a spot with R Sai Kishore leading the pack. Despite the initial skepticism surrounding his debut a year ago, where another left-arm spinner, M Siddarth, was already in contention, S Ram has made a significant impact. In the recent match against Railways at the SNR College grounds in Coimbatore, his 4/40 played a crucial role in Tamil Nadu’s comprehensive innings-and-129-run victory, keeping them in contention for knockout qualification.

Ajith, known for his consistency in line and length, complemented Sai Kishore effectively, securing six wickets across both innings. His ability to maintain a stump-to-stump line, coupled with subtle variations in speed, has proven effective, resulting in 13 of his 25 wickets being either bowled or LBW. On turning tracks, like the one in Coimbatore, Ajith’s effectiveness becomes even more pronounced.

The left-arm spinner attributes his success to his adherence to a specific length, allowing him to build pressure on batsmen. Having gained ample experience in red-ball cricket at the First Division and University level before his Tamil Nadu call-up, Ajith emphasizes the importance of patience and pitch assessment in his approach. While he waited for a chance in the Tamil Nadu team, he pursued an MBA degree, using university cricket as a platform to enhance his skills.

Ajith’s partnership with Sai Kishore proved formidable against Railways, who struggled after Tamil Nadu’s imposing total of 489, led by N Jagadeesan’s double century. With Railways folding for 246 in the first innings, Tamil Nadu enforced the follow-on, ultimately sealing a comprehensive victory with Ajith’s notable contributions. Looking ahead, they face Chandigarh in their next encounter at the same venue.

Match Summary: Tamil Nadu: 489 beat Railways: 246 & 114 (Pratham Singh 29; Ajith Ram 4/40, R Sai Kishore 4/43) by an innings and 129 runs.

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