Jhathavedh Subramanyan, a 23-year-old leg-spinner, has made a name for himself in the cricket world. Born in Hong Kong to a Tamil-speaking family, he has had to adapt to different environments and cultures, but his passion for cricket has remained constant. After learning the basics of his craft in Hong Kong, he became a student of veteran Indian leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan in Chennai.
Jhathavedh consistent leg-spin bowling has played a pivotal role in the success of his team, the Lyca Kovai Kings, in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), and he has also made his first-class debut for Durham MCCU in England. Despite the challenges of being a globetrotter, Jhathavedh is ready to accept any challenge that life throws at him.
“They go by a process-oriented approach” – Jhathavedh Subramanyan on learning under Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and S Ramky
The year 2016 marked a turning point in Tamil Nadu cricket, with the launch of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) catapulting the state’s rise to the pinnacle of white-ball cricket in India. For Jhathavedh Subramanyan, it was also a career-shaping year as he received hands-on training for the first time under his two gurus – Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, and S Ramky from Sports Mechanics.
Meeting a former India international and learning from him directly was quite surreal. “To be honest, it’s amazing, I never would have dreamt of this,” said Jhathavedh. “I wouldn’t have ever dreamt of this happening as a young kid growing up in Hong Kong to interact with such a legend.”
Jhathavedh’s mentors and his family, who are native to Tamil Nadu, have helped him assimilate into the Indian cricket ecosystem. They have been a great support system for him. His consistent leg-spin bowling has played a pivotal role in the success of his team, the Lyca Kovai Kings, in the TNPL, and he has also made his first-class debut for Durham MCCU in England. Despite the challenges of being a globetrotter, Jhathavedh is ready to accept any challenge that life throws at him.
The amount of knowledge that Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and S Ramky have is incredible and they approach cricket in a different way to what Jhathavedh has been used to in Hong Kong. Their approach is process-oriented, where they analyze the action, position, and delivery stride of the player. They pay attention to all these nuances. Interacting with them has been amazing and Jhathavedh has learnt so much from them.
Jhathavedh Subramanyan believes that the most important attribute of a wrist-spinner is “The will to perform.”
Jhathavedh Subramanyan, the leg-spinner for Lyca Kovai Kings, has stated that the most important attribute for a wrist-spinner is the will to perform, and to be brave. He believes that as a leg-spinner, it is necessary to back your skillset when you step onto the field.
Jhathavedh has been mentored by Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and S Ramky from Sports Mechanics, who have taught him a process-oriented approach to cricket. The leg-spinner has learnt to stay as relaxed as possible on the field, which helps him perform better.
His performances in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2023 have reflected his calmness and have led to consistent returns for him. Jhathavedh has also made his first-class debut for Durham MCCU in England. When asked about mastering pace variations in the volatile T20 format, Jhathavedh was clear that the key to success is to have clarity of thought.
He believes that it is important to stick to your game plan and understand what you need to do in order to be successful. Jhathavedh is willing to accept any challenge that life throws at him and is ready to back his skillset on the field.
Jhathavedh on Shahrukh Khan, the inspirational skipper
Shahrukh Khan, former captain of the Lyca Kovai Kings, has led his team to the TNPL final again this year. Jhathavedh Subramanyan, the leg-spinner for the Kovai Kings, credits Shahrukh’s process-oriented approach and supportive leadership style for the team’s success. Jhathavedh believes that Shahrukh’s captaincy inspires everyone on the team to express themselves and follow the process, regardless of the result. Jhathavedh has been impressed by Shahrukh’s ability to support every bowler and give them the freedom to express themselves on the field. Jhathavedh has captained Hong Kong before in List A cricket and hopes to follow Shahrukh’s leadership style in the future. The Kovai Kings are one win away from winning the TNPL trophy outright this season, and Shahrukh’s leadership has been a key factor in their success.
The journey ahead for Jhathavedh Subramanyan
Jhathavedh Subramanyan’s cricket journey has taken him from Hong Kong to Tamil Nadu, and he’s eager to keep travelling. As a talented leg-spinner, Jhathavedh has caught the attention of IPL scouts, but he’s not picky about which team he plays for. Instead, he’s focused on rubbing shoulders with other leggies, such as Amit Mishra, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Adam Zampa. Jhathavedh’s bucket list includes playing for Tamil Nadu, the IPL, and India.
However, he’s not getting ahead of himself and is focused on the TNPL tournament for now. Jhathavedh hopes to make it to the state probables and then the Indian team, but he’s taking it one step at a time. Jhathavedh’s cricket journey has been full of twists and turns, but he’s excited about what the future holds.
