INTERVIEW
Follow UsThere are a few certainties in life: death, taxes, and LR Chethan scoring runs.
If you've followed Karnataka cricket closely, you’re no stranger to Chethan. He’s all about consistency. In fact, over the last three editions of the Maharaja T20 Trophy, only Karun Nair has scored more runs than this young talent.
The Bengaluru Blasters' key batter hasn’t just been putting up impressive numbers (1185 runs); he’s been doing it with a steady strike rate of 158.8, which has kept the Blasters competitive in every match. At just 24 years old, the wicketkeeper-batter is already on the radar of several Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises, who are keen to sign him up.
“Two years ago, I went to KKR and MI for trials. Last year, I went to Lucknow Super Giants [LSG]. Recently, I once again trialled for Mumbai in Mumbai, and now, I will also attend trials for the Delhi Capitals,” Chethan told Cricket.com exclusively.
But you can’t take away the Kannada ‘huduga’ out of the 24-year-old’s system, as at some point in his life, he wanted to don Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s famous Red and Gold jersey.
Photo Courtesy: Special Arrangement
During his early years, the Mysore-born spent a considerable amount of time on the sidelines as a ball boy, waiting hours and hours to get a selfie with Manish Pandey, with whom he shared the dressing room eventually at Karnataka.
“I don't have any favourite franchise, but it is a dream for every Karnataka player to play for RCB,” Chethan added.
So, did Chethan get any message from the various IPL scouts about improving his range-hitting?
“No. They didn't suggest anything like that. Bowlers from different states bowl, and so while facing those bowlers, I get to learn more about my game. I have to proactively think about how I go about playing my shots against different bowlers. That’s the tricky and challenging part in trials.”
During his stint with the Blasters, he learnt more about his game from Karnataka legend Mayank Agarwal. It is no surprise that the duo has been the best batting pair in the league’s history, sharing 800 runs and striking at 160.3. Chethan has been drawn to Mayank’s energy and intensity, which he has tried to incorporate into his game style.
“If you are with Mayank, you get a lot of energy. Mayank Agarwal is very active. Whether it is gym, nets, or warm-up, he has a lot of intensity. So, I talk a lot about that. He says everyone should be ready. If there is an opportunity, you should be ready to grab it,” Chethan said.
Interestingly, during his multiple stints with Blasters, he has worked closely with several experienced heads, be it Mayank or Aniruddha Joshi, both of whom have helped him greatly over the last few years.
“I am very happy with [Bengaluru] Blasters. If I say experience, it was the second time I played for Bengaluru [Blasters]. There were many senior players and experienced coaches. Experience is something you gain by playing with experienced players. You get to know how they plan and how they prepare ahead of the match in the nets. That kind of experience you get to learn from Maharaja [T20],” he added.
Unlike the local leagues, the Maharaja T20 League is unique for Chethan because he gets to play the best bowlers who have represented India at some level.
“We have played almost all the Maharaja T20 bowlers in the Karnataka league. But we didn’t get to face the main bowlers because they are playing for Karnataka, India A and other teams. Because of my experience in the Karnataka league, I know what these bowlers are planning against me. I look to play accordingly and don’t plan too much against the bowlers,” Chethan said.
But the competition in the state has been such that even this level of consistency hasn’t quite helped Chethan make the cut for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy [SMAT] squad. Since his debut in 2022, the right-hander could only make five appearances for Karnataka, where he averages 23.75, but hasn’t played for Karnataka since 2023.
“If you want to break into the Karnataka team, you know how difficult it is, as there are players who have played in India, India A and IPL. If we want to play in such domestic leagues, whether it is Maharaja T20 or other leagues, if you perform consistently in all the leagues, you will get a chance to play in the XI.”
“Usually, if I want to play in [Syed] Mushtaq Ali, I have to play well in KSCA league and Maharaja league. I have played well; let’s see, I’m hoping for a comeback to the Karnataka squad.”
If you take a quick glance at Chethan, you might wonder how he manages to clear the fence so effortlessly. The answer lies in the old adage, "practice makes perfect," which perfectly applies to the 24-year-old.
The Blasters’ star credits his success to repetition. He typically faces 30-40 deliveries per set, and in a full session, he often completes 20 such sets. This consistent practice is the key to his ability to clear the boundaries with such ease. The results speak for themselves: Chethan has hit a six every 11.9 deliveries, totalling an impressive 70 sixes at the Maharaja T20 league.
But his biggest change lies in front of him: getting an IPL gig, which he has been pushing through for the last two years. So, what is Chethan’s ultimate goal in his cricketing career?
“I want to play in three formats for Karnataka. Usually, I score consistently in the red ball in the first-division league. I want to play in the Ranji Trophy. If I score well in SMAT, I might get a chance in Vijay Hazare,” he concluded.
With the IPL mega auction just around the corner on November 24 and 25, don’t be surprised if LR Chethan’s name is called out—after four years of relentless hard work, he's primed for his big break.
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