Malolan Rangarajan set to return to Tamil Nadu

The off-spinner played nine games and picked up 17 wickets for Uttarakhand in the Ranji Trophy last year.

Malolan Rangarajan's inclusion in the Tamil Nadu playing XI will depend on R. Ashwin and Washington Sundar’s availability.

 

Bowling all-rounder Malolan Rangarajan is set to return to Tamil Nadu for the 2019-20 domestic season. The 30-year-old had represented Uttarakhand as a guest player last year.

“It is like coming back home, especially because I have played most of my cricket here,” said Malolan, who has 136 first-class wickets in 47 outings.

The off-spinner played nine games and picked up 17 wickets in the Ranji Trophy last year.

Talking about the transfer, he said, "There was an informal understanding that most of us will continue as professionals with Uttarakhand as long as BCCI was taking care of it, because it helped the team qualify for the quarterfinals (in Ranji Trophy)."

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But the four-way dispute among Uttarakhand Cricket Association, United Cricket Association, Uttaranchal Cricket Association and Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU) led to a lack of communication.

However, in August, the Committee of Administrators (CoA) handed full BCCI membership to CAU.

“I did not speak to other teams because my plan was to stay and later, it was too late in the hour. Uttarakhand got its affiliation and everyone was just too happy. Added to that, I had no contact in CAU. I tried reaching out to a few teams but it didn't happen,” Malolan said.

Malolan’s inclusion in the Tamil Nadu playing XI will depend on R. Ashwin and Washington Sundar’s availability — the two frontline spinners of the side.

“I am just planning to take things in my stride as and when they arrive. I will work hard. I came from Uttarakhand learning a few things; playing on lush green wickets has helped me develop my game.”