Lakshmipathy Balaji

Full Name: Lakshmipathy Balaji
Born: 27 September 1981, Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu
Major Teams: Tamil Nadu, India.
Also Known As: Naidu
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Medium Fast

Profile
Just 21 years of age, much is expected of medium-pacer Lakshmipathy Balaji. The youngster, still finishing university in Chennai, has risen to the national level in a short span of time. With Tamil Nadu opting for a predominantly mediumpace driven strategy in the Ranji Trophy, with something in the home wicket for the quick men, Balaji has become an intergral part of his state team. Bowling with a whippy, quick-arm action, Balaji has the ability to bowler quicker deliveries, yorkers or bouncers without a perceptible change in action. When he took five-wicket hauls in several consecutive Ranji Trophy matches in the last season, his name began doing the rounds in cricket circles. With the World Cup in mind, the Indian think tank has used the one-dayers against West Indies to try out several cricketers and this, more than anything else, has fast-tracked Balaji's rise to the highest level.

Laxmipathy Balaji has hardly been around long enough for his international calibre to be judged, but this young medium-fast bowler from Tamil Nadu is expected to be a part of India's pace representation. His domestic record is quite stunning, having 10 five-wicket hauls in 40 first-class games. He has also taken 10 wickets four times in that period.

The appearance of the likes of Balaji bodes well for Indian cricket, which has almost always complained about the lack of quality fast bowlers.

Strengths: Has a respectable range of deliveries

Weaknesses: Tends to bowl wayward at times

What others say: 'Balaji again proved that he is a class bowler.' S. Suresh, Tamil Nadu captain, complimenting Balaji on a match-winning performance.

'In the fast bowling arena, now India will have to depend a lot on youngsters [like ] Laxmipathy Balaji.' EAS Prasanna, former Indian spin legend.