Lakshay Jain, a 22-year-old off-spinner, demonstrated his incredible potential in the Buchi Babu Memorial All India cricket tournament semifinal against Chhattisgarh. Playing for TNCA XI, Jain bowled an astounding 56.5 overs in the first innings, capturing five wickets for 152 runs. He continued his impressive performance in the third innings, taking another five wickets in just 25 overs for 64 runs. This remarkable feat marks a significant milestone in his career, as it’s the first time he’s bowled more than 49 overs in a single match.
Jain expressed his delight at his achievement, stating, “Only in this match I came to know that I can bowl this many overs. This is my first time I’m crossing 50 overs in an innings as well as a match. I’m feeling very happy that I’ve bowled so many overs. The previous highest was 49, both innings combined.”
Despite the demanding task of bowling a significant number of overs in the first innings when Chhattisgarh posted a formidable score of 467, Jain remained focused and determined. He explained, “The wicket had little help for the spinners, but it wasn’t frustrating or exhausting. I was so focused on making plans to get wickets for the team, speaking with the captain, that I didn’t feel tired at all. Since I was bowling well, they asked me to continue.”
With TNCA XI playing without their captain and left-arm spinner R. Sai Kishore, Jain and fellow left-arm spinner Ajith Ram shouldered the responsibility of leading the spin attack. Jain embraced the challenge, stating, “I had to take the responsibility, but didn’t feel any pressure.”
This match provided valuable learning experience for Jain, who previously represented Tamil Nadu in the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy for four matches. He was particularly inspired by his interaction with India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, who played for Mumbai against TNCA XI in the third round. Yadav advised Jain to maintain a balanced mental state, regardless of his performance, urging him not to get too down on himself or overly confident.
Jain’s exceptional performance in the Buchi Babu tournament is a testament to his talent, dedication, and ability to perform under pressure. His record-breaking bowling spell and valuable lessons learned from the tournament are sure to serve him well in his future cricketing endeavors.
