Ranji Trophy 2025-26: TN pacer Warrier says first-innings lead against Andhra ‘crucial’ for team
Tamil Nadu pacer Sandeep Warrier emphasised that claiming the first-innings lead over Andhra at the ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Sunday was crucial for the team, especially given its struggles in the first three matches of the ongoing Ranji Trophy season.
Warrier, with four wickets for 53, was the pick of the Tamil Nadu bowlers.
“The most satisfying thing was to get that lead. This lead was important for us as a team, because things were not going our way in this tournament. To get that lead was the main thing that was going through everyone’s mind,” he said.
He specifically mentioned that the energy put into maintaining the ball played a significant role in the team’s performance.
“The maintenance of the ball in this match from Pradosh (Ranjan Paul) to B. Sachin to Vimal (Khumar)… They were doing an amazing job. It’s not easy to maintain the ball (shining and keeping it in good shape). So, that was one of the things our batters took responsibility for.
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“When a fast bowler comes in, if the ball is not in good shape, he will be let down at that point. But they made sure that throughout the innings, they were maintaining the ball, and the ball was doing something,” Warrier said.
The 34-year-old, who had picked up a wicket each against Jharkhand and Nagaland before going wicketless against Vidarbha, said that he personally felt relieved with his individual performance.
“It’s actually a big relief, because I’ve been trying very hard. But the numbers weren’t coming. At the end, however much effort you put in, when the numbers are not coming, you will start questioning yourself as a player. So, I guess this was pretty needed for me.”
Published on Nov 09, 2025
