Naveen Thailappan

Born on 1st January 1990, Naveen Thailappan's cricketing odyssey began in the bustling streets of Chennai, where the echoes of gully cricket served as a symphony to his young ears. Engrossed by the game from a tender age, Naveen spent his childhood alongside makeshift wickets and tennis balls wrapped in layers of tape, dreaming of the greens of a cricket field.

Naveen’s journey from local icon to professional cricketer was marked by determination and resilience. Excelling in both batting and bowling, he effortlessly adapted to any position his team needed. By his teenage years, he had already begun to attract admiration from local clubs, and it wasn’t long before he secured a spot in Tamil Nadu’s domestic squad. His versatility as an allrounder drew attention, boasting a grounded batting style enriched with crafty cuts and graceful drives, alongside his right-arm fast-medium bowling that consistently outwitted seasoned batsmen with deceptive swing and disciplined pace.

Naveen marked his professional debut for Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy in 2010, seizing the opportunity with formidable performances that etched his name in the minds of selectors. The zenith of his early career featured triumph in the 2014-15 Ranji Trophy season, where he was instrumental in guiding Tamil Nadu to the finals, carving out a niche as one of the rising players who could make a difference under pressure.

Internationally, Naveen's talents came to the fore during a riveting series against Bangladesh in 2016. It was a partnership with a middle-order stalwart that lit up the match, doggedly holding the crease to deliver an astonishing comeback victory. His ability to thrive in high-stakes environments soon made him a fan favourite, while his rivalry with Bangladesh's emerging pacers became a fixture of tantalising on-field drama.

Though records were plentiful, two stand out prominently—his remarkable allround display in a domestic tournament, recording 150 runs and a five-wicket haul in a single match, demonstrated his capability to single-handedly influence outcomes. On numerous occasions, while facing some of the best bowlers, Naveen’s penchant for last-minute heroics helped his team stave off the inevitable, leaving audiences in awe time and again.

Naveen Thailappan’s journey is a tale of grit prevailing over adversity, embodying the spirit of cricket. His legacy transcends beyond numbers, lingering in the lore of Indian cricket as an allrounder who not only played the game with skill but also with heart, a beacon for aspiring cricketers dreaming from similar gully cricket pitches.

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Bowling Stats