Sai Kishore to lead Tamil Nadu in Ranji Trophy 2026-27, Deepesh gets maiden call-up

File Image: Sai Kishore will captain Tamil Nadu for the third time in the Ranji Trophy. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI

R. Sai Kishore will lead Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season that begins next month. The TNCA senior selection committee has picked a 16-member squad for the team’s opening fixture against Rajasthan, to be played in Jaipur from October 11-14.

Alongside the regulars, left-arm spinner S. Ajith Ram returns after missing out last year due to injury.

The squad features promising pacers R.D. Pranav Ragavendra and D. Deepesh. The youngsters are known for their ability to bowl at a brisk pace, something TN has not had in a while. While Pranav made his debut in the 2024-25 season, Deepesh has received his maiden call-up.

“We heard good feedback about Pranav during the recent India under-19 tour to Sri Lanka. These two youngsters are the future, and we want to allow them to mature, and in three years they will be the backbone of our attack,” said Sunil Subramanian, Chairman of the selection committee.

Meanwhile, C. Andre Siddarth, who will feature in his third season, has been named vice-captain. The 20-year-old was TN’s third-highest run-scorer (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 promising opener B. Sachin not making the cut, Sunil said that with S.R. Athish as a back-up wicketkeeper and G. Ajitesh doing well in the practice game, the left-hander had to miss out.

Tamil Nadu Ranji Trophy squad:

R. Sai Kishore (Captain), G. Ajitesh (w-k), S. Ajith Ram S, C. Andre Siddarth (vice-captain), 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.