Kerala captain Sachin Baby confident of regaining fitness before Ranji Trophy restart

Kerala captain Sachin Baby confident of regaining fitness before Ranji Trophy restart

Kerala Ranji captain Sachin Baby has made a steady recovery from the groin injury he suffered during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy tournament.

The 36-year-old, who suffered the injury while batting against Mumbai, has started his rehabilitation and is confident of regaining full fitness before Kerala’s crucial Ranji Trophy ties against Madhya Pradesh and Bihar

“I have started my strength training and I am doing light running under supervision of my personal trainer. The injury has healed and I am confident I will be fit for Ranji Trophy. I felt some discomfort in the groin while trying to play a hook shot. Initially I thought it was just a cramp but I had to retire due to the persistent pain.

Scans confirmed a grade one tear and I was advised eight weeks rest. I started training after the seventh week. I will be joining the Ranji Trophy camp which will begin in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday,’‘ said Sachin, who missed the Vijay Hazare Trophy cricket tournament due to this injury.

“I take pride in my fitness and always worked hard to maintain it. I have never missed a match in my career because of injury and it was frustrating to miss the whole tournament (Vijay Hazare Trophy),’’ he said.

Kerala missed Sachin’s reliable batting in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and his availability for the last round of Ranji Trophy matches will be a big boost for the side hoping to qualify for the knock out for the first time in eight seasons.