The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Anirudh Singh to bat for Deccan Chargers

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Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Anirudh Singh to bat for Deccan Chargers

V.V. Subrahmanyam

‘Mr. Dependable’ of Hyderabad Ranji squad signs a one-year contract

Anirudh is always looked up as one who can rise to the occasion
This southpaw belongs to a different breed and is a fighter to the core

— PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

In full flow: Anirudh Singh in action.

HYDERABAD: From the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) to high-profile Indian Premier League (IPL) of BCCI. This is a journey which was just unimaginable even a few months ago for Anirudh Singh. But, now for this ‘Mr. Dependable’ of Hyderabad Ranji squad has signed a one-year contract with the Deccan Chargers.

At 28, when the general tendency is to write off even the best of players in domestic circuit, this southpaw belongs to a different breed. A fighter to the core. “Honestly, I never ever dreamt that things will take such a wonderful turn. All that I along with my ICL teammates were just hoping for the best given the turbulent phase after the last edition in Ahmedabad,” he explains.

It is not easy to keep one motivated despite going through the rough phase – both in life and in cricket. But, Anirudh is now part of Hyderabad Ranji squad and more importantly after V V S Laxman is always looked up as one who can rise to the occasion. “My focus is just on the next two games against Railways and Tamil Nadu,” he insists making it clear that he is not thinking too far beyond right now. “The warmth with which I and for that matter all ICL cricketers were welcomed to the Hyderabad squad was really special. Thanks to Shivlal Sir and the coach Venkatapathi Raju, we never had any hassles,” recalls the State Bank of Hyderabad employee who even led the team in the last Ranji game in the absence of injured Arjun Yadav.

Interestingly, while other banks meted out indifferent treatment to those who joined ICL, SBH was very “liberal in its attitude” and continued them on the pay-rolls. So when Anirudh was sharing a few words of wisdom with city’s only 100-plus Test veteran, Laxman, on Tuesday when Hyderabad was taking on Railways in the Ranji game, it was perhaps symbolic of the re-union of not just players but hearts too – all for the same cause – to see Hyderabad stay in the Elite Group.

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