When the VB Kanchi Veerans took on the Dindigul Dragons in the course of the third season of the TNPL in 2018, there was a frail teen who instantly made everybody sit up and see.
On that night time, R.S. Mokit Hariharan wrote himself into the league’s folklore along with his bowling, with out taking a wicket. After using left-arm spin to Tamil Nadu batter N. Jagadeesan, the 18-year-old switched bowling palms and delivered right-arm off-spin to southpaw C. Hari Nishaanth.
So as to add to the frenzy, the younger batter had scored a 50-ball 77, laced with 5 fours and 5 sixes, within the first innings of the match. Right here was the poster boy the league was on the lookout for.
Six years have handed since that day in Tirunelveli, and Mokit has performed 35 video games within the franchise event throughout his stints at 5 groups. However the 24-year-old has solely 500-odd runs and a handful of wickets to his identify. His knock throughout his maiden outing continues to be his highest rating.
Forward of the 2025 version, Mokit was picked up by the Chepauk Tremendous Gillies for INR 5.2 lakhs, and the southpaw offered fast affect, scoring a 22-ball 46 to arrange the chase for his facet in its first sport of the season. The 24-year-old, nonetheless, didn’t get to show his ambidextrous bowling skill on the day.
Mokit Hariharan of Chepauk Tremendous Gillies in motion in opposition to IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans in TNPL 2025.
| Photograph Credit score:
PERIASAMY M/The Hindu
Mokit Hariharan of Chepauk Tremendous Gillies in motion in opposition to IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans in TNPL 2025.
| Photograph Credit score:
PERIASAMY M/The Hindu
“I practised onerous with the ball in the course of the low season forward of the TNPL, however I suffered an damage to my wrist that’s stopping me from bowling. I used to be very excited to bowl this yr. Now, I’m ready to get match and begin bowling once more,” Mokit instructed Sportstar on the sidelines of the competitors.
Finger-spinning all-rounders like Mokit are sometimes utilized in T20 cricket to create higher matchups on the batting finish. The inclusion of the Affect Participant rule has additionally decreased the affect of those multi-skilled cricketers. However, Mokit suggests he’s not the kind who depends on match apply to maintain up the rhythm.
“I by no means really feel rusty, possibly solely once I’m getting back from damage. Bowling is one thing I take pleasure in doing, and I don’t take a look at it from a outcomes viewpoint,” the spinner defined. “Perhaps if I really feel like I must play a match to prepare, I’m the kind who will go and play any native sport.”
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Regardless of catching the eye of the cricket fraternity in Tamil Nadu, Mokit has performed only a solitary First-Class sport for the state facet and is but to make his white-ball debut. However the all-rounder doesn’t depend the present season as ‘make-or-break’.
“I obtained the call-up as a result of I did properly within the U23s. I do really feel dangerous that I didn’t utilise the chance. However, I at all times assume if not in the present day, there shall be an opportunity tomorrow,” Mokit stated.
“We will solely put in effort and observe the method, however we will’t solely take a look at the outcomes. Outcomes are for understanding the place we went incorrect, however we can not dwell on that and take up pointless stress,” he added.
With full position readability whereas opening the innings and with the consolation of getting state veterans B. Aparajith, Vijay Shankar and Jagadeesan under him within the batting order, this could be the yr Mokit lastly tees off and breaks down the door to state choice.