Impressing Kumble at 18: ‘Traditional off-spinner’ Hemchudeshan eyes Test cap

Eighteen-year-old Tamil Nadu off-spinner J Hemchudeshan is targeting an eventual India Test debut after impressing former captain Anil Kumble. Kumble labeled the teenager a "traditional off-spinner" during a training stint at the Centre of Excellence. Hemchudeshan is currently part of the India Under-19 set-up and has been included in the BCCI's targeted pool of spinners.

Hemchudeshan made his First-Class debut for Tamil Nadu against Jharkhand last season and has appeared in three matches. His rise follows standout domestic youth seasons, including a 53-wicket campaign in the 2023/24 Vijay Merchant Trophy and 47 wickets in the 2024/25 Cooch Behar Trophy, which earned him the MA Chidambaram Trophy.