Baggy inexperienced for the Aussies, maroon solar hats for the West Indies – cricketers put on their caps with delight as badges of honour. However, typically, like within the freezing chilly at Feroz Shah Kotla on Tuesday, the explanations have been extra sensible.
With the minimal temperature dipping to five.6 levels Celsius, and the nationwide capital Dehradun formally getting colder than Dharamsala and Nainital, the stadium witnessed a uncommon sight: Tamil Nadu cricketers took to the bottom along with a number of layers of clothes. Monkey’s hat performed. Their third spherical away Ranji Trophy recreation towards hosts Delhi.
Ever because the visiting group landed within the capital, the main target has not simply been on the opposition. They arrived right here anticipating the chilly and have been totally ready to cope with it, particularly contemplating that winter temperatures in Chennai don’t drop under the mid-twenties, even at evening.
Their two apply classes earlier than the sport at Feroz Shah Kotla began round 12 midday. However, the 9.30 am begin on the primary day on the Kotla proved an excessive amount of for some gamers, particularly pacer L Vignesh, who bowled sporting a monkey cap.
Tamil Nadu bowler Lakshminarayanan Vignesh throughout the first day of their Ranji Trophy match towards Delhi in New Delhi, Tuesday, December 27, 2022. (PTI photograph)
“I have experienced cold weather before but today was totally different as the cold wind was blowing. I have played in Dharamshala before but it was manageable. But here, it was too much to handle . (wearing monkey cap) I knew I would be giving content to meme makers and even some people (teammates) were pulling my leg. But I was like, I need this because I’m not management Could,” Vignesh instructed The Indian Express.
The impact of Delhi’s chilly was clearly seen on the stadium on Tuesday. Dense fog coated the solar and the match was stopped for 5-7 minutes after only one over had been bowled. Delhi openers Anuj Rawat and Dhruv Shorey spoke to the umpires after the primary over and have been escorted off the sector by the umpires.
However, the circumstances did not deter the 33-year-old Vignesh as he picked up the wickets of Rawat and Yash Dhull in his first spell to get Delhi shifting early. While Washington was the opposite TN participant to put on the good-looking monkey cap, the remaining resorted at hand heaters.
“You have to be heat to bowl usually and after I stroll down the sector, I am unable to even really feel my fingers and it is laborious to put on skinners, thermal put on, T-shirts, jerseys and sweaters. It occurs regardless of. And on the different finish we had Sandy (Sandeep Warrier) bowling with simply his jersey on,” Vignesh stated.
Tamil Nadu bowlers Lakshminarayanan Vignesh, Vijay Shankar, Sandeep Warrier and Washington Sundar throughout the finish of the primary day of their Ranji Trophy match towards Delhi in New Delhi, Tuesday, December 27, 2022. (PTI photograph)
“Though I bought two wickets, I couldn’t even really feel the ball in my hand. For instance, I’ve had to make use of my shoulder greater than typical and have needed to make some changes, particularly with how I load on the crease. If I hadn’t used my shoulder sufficient, I’d in all probability have bowled extra half-volleys,” he stated.
Even in-form Delhi opener Shorey, who scored a affected person half-century (66), stated the situations have been difficult for the batsmen. He stated, ‘The situations have been good for the bowlers. It was a bit brisk within the morning, however because the day progressed, it bought higher.
It was good for Tamil Nadu skipper Baba Indrajith to win the toss as he put Delhi into bat. In the morning, the ball was nonetheless doing one thing and Vignesh – who swings the ball each methods – made probably the most of it.
Just earlier than the tea break, Vignesh, along with his woolly head, bought the prized wicket of Shorey, undone by a fantastic outswinger. The mercury dropped additional within the remaining session and dangerous mild compelled the umpires to declare the day’s play over and Delhi have been 212 for six.
Tamil Nadu braved the winter of Delhi in its monkey cap.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
