Andre Siddarth named Tamil Nadu vice-captain for 2026-27 Ranji Trophy
Andre Siddarth has been appointed vice-captain of Tamil Nadu’s Ranji Trophy squad for the 2026-27 season, the TNCA senior selection committee announced; the season begins next month. R. Sai Kishore will lead the side as captain for the campaign.
The selection committee finalised a 16-member squad for the opening fixture against Rajasthan, to be played in Jaipur from October 11 to 14. Left-arm spinner S. Ajith Ram returns to the group after missing last season because of injury. The squad also includes pace options R.D. Pranav Ragavendra and D. Deepesh, identified as promising young quicks.
Pranav made his debut in the 2024-25 season while Deepesh has received his maiden call-up. "We got good feedback about Pranav during the recent India under-19 tour to Sri Lanka. These two are the future, and we want to allow them to mature. In three years, they will be the backbone of our attack," said Sunil Subramanian, chairman of the selection committee.
C. Andre Siddarth, who will be playing his third season, has been elevated to vice-captain. The 20-year-old was Tamil Nadu’s third-highest run-scorer last term with 409 runs. "He led the side well in the intra-squad game, and we are looking at grooming him for the future," Sunil added.
On the omission of promising opener B. Sachin, the selectors cited wicketkeeping cover and form in practice: with S.R. Athish being the back-up wicketkeeper and G. Ajitesh doing well in the practice match, he had to miss out, Sunil said.
The squad: R. Sai Kishore (Capt.), C. Andre Siddarth (Vice-capt.), G. Ajitesh (wk), S. Ajith Ram, S.R. Athish, D. Deepesh, G. Govinth, J. Hemchudeshan, B. Indrajith, N. Jagadeesan, Nidhish S. Rajagopal, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, R.D. Pranav Ragavendra, P. Saravana Kumar, R. Sonu Yadav, R. Vimal Khumar.
Standby/development squad: B. Aaditya, A. Esakkimuthu, Manav Parakh, S. Radhakrishnan, B. Sachin.
Tamil Nadu begin their Ranji Trophy campaign against Rajasthan in Jaipur from October 11 to 14.
