Small step for R. Vimal Khumar, giant step for TN cricket
The BCCI Centre of Excellence Grounds witnessed a fitting display of excellence on Saturday, as Tamil Nadu opener R. Vimal Khumar made a memorable return to cricket after a year on the sidelines.
The 22-year-old announced himself in style — scoring a fluent, stylish maiden century against Nagaland on the opening day of the second-round Ranji Trophy fixture.
In an exclusive chat with Sportstar, Vimal reflected on his knock and the monumental 307-run partnership with Pradosh Ranjan Paul—a stand that not only defined the day but also helped his side rebuild confidence after a crushing first-round defeat to Jharkhand.
READ: Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Vimal, Pradosh centuries put Tamil Nadu in control against Nagaland on Day 1
“Firstly, I’m very happy coming back into the team after a year. Being able to do well for the side feels really good,” Vimal said. “The wicket was very good to bat on—quite flat. My mindset was simple: this is my comeback game after a year, so I wanted to stay focused and make the most of the opportunity.”
Reflecting on TN’s opening-round loss, he added, “As a team, we had discussions about how to move forward after that defeat. The break helped us reset, spend time with our families, and come back with a fresh mindset.”
On the mammoth partnership with Pradosh, Vimal added, “Once Pradosh and I got our eye in, it was about maintaining momentum. We just wanted to keep going and bat as long as possible. We’ve played a lot together over the past few years, so we understand each other’s game well and share a really good rapport.”
Published on Oct 25, 2025
