TNPL 2026: Batters barring Jagadeesan need to be more consistent: Valthapa

CHENNAI: When Chepauk Super Gillies splashed the big bucks on Ashwanth Valthapa, there was a sense that the talented all-rounder could be the piece that would help the franchise return to its glory days. 

But as CSG’s TNPL 2026 campaign came to an early end, the 25-year-old was left reflecting on a season that showed the side still has plenty to work on, particularly with the bat. Skipper Narayan Jagadeesan has shouldered the batting responsibility for Super Gillies, scoring 323 runs in the competition.

Apart from him, however, the other batters failed to take their opportunities, barring Mokit Hariharan’s ton against Madurai Panthers, and Aashiq’s stroke-filled 75 against Trichy Grand Cholas, on Friday. Summing up the Super Gillies’ season, Valthapa insisted that the side’s batting needs to be much more consistent, an area of improvement for the next campaign.  

“I would say batting [area of improvement for 2027] because Jaggi [Jagadeesan] is the only one who was on board the whole time, he scored 300 runs,” Valthapa said after the loss against Trichy Grand Cholas. 

“Mokit [Hariharan] did well in one game, Aashiq did well in the other. But not a lot of frequent runs from our top order. Our powerplay wasn’t always great, so maybe small things like that. We also need to work on overs 7-15 to get more momentum into the back end,” he further added. 

Valthapa’s role in the CSG outfit has been that of a finisher, and it definitely raised an eyebrow or two when the left-hander walked out to bat in the 19th over of the contest. But the 25-year-old pointed out that the team trusted his ability as a finisher, which is why he has been batting lower than normal. 

Been given the finisher’s role in this side, and that’s pretty much what I’ve done in my life. It wasn’t planned in the first game, I went in at No. 7 or 8, it clicked and so we pretty much stuck with it. I think they trusted me more with finishing,” he stated. 

The 25-year-old hasn’t had the tournament he would have hoped for, picking up three wickets with the ball, and scoring 69 runs for his side across four innings. While he insisted ‘nothing is a failure’, Valthapa sees plenty of areas to improve before the next season, including a possibility of batting in the powerplay. 

“I wouldn’t call it a mixed bag, nothing is a failure. But definitely got to improve a lot as a player, I gave it my all for the franchise. I was always a floater, so maybe I can work a bit more on playing new ball so I can go up the order and give the team a good start in the powerplay,” the youngster said. 

“In terms of bowling, I would love to work on my death-over bowling, and give the team a good option in the last four overs. Would love to improve the execution part of it as well.”

Having already cracked through Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA)’s first division, Valthapa eyes a breakthrough into the state side this domestic campaign. The 25-year-old also reckoned that he would ‘love to be part of the IPL auction’. 

“Just get into the red-ball and white-ball state team this season. Would also love to be part of the IPL auction, having been a net bowler for LSG last season.”