TNPL 2016: Team of the tournament

B Anirudh Sita Ram

B Anirudh Sita Ram had a brilliant tournament

B Anirudh Sita Ram is one of the very few players who play for a different state but is a part of the TNPL. The youngster, who was born in Chennai and plays for Jolly Rovers in the TNCA first division, represents Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy.

After being named as BCCI’s Best Under-19 Cricketer, Anirudh made his Ranji Trophy debut and has performed well for his team. After being brought by Lyca Kovai Kings in the TNPL drafts, no one expected him to open the innings as the Kings already had the services of Murali Vijay and L Surya Prakash.

Vijay's unavailability meant that Anirudh was asked to open with Surya and there was no turning back for the Hyderabadi. He finished the tournament as the third highest run scorer with 304 runs from 8 innings at an average of 43.43 and a strike-rate of 128.27.

Due to a tight race for the opener’s slot, Anirudh was put in the middle order and will be the crisis man in the TNPL team of the tournament.