Tanmay Baloda knows patience. Be it grinding on the field or off it.
On Monday, the left-arm spinner picked up a six-wicket haul for India Under-19 against Australia Under-19, triggering a mighty collapse in the visiting side’s middle order and eventually bowling it out for 174 on the first day of the second multi-day Test here at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Baloda was introduced into the attack with Australia trying to recover from 28/2 through Neel Patel and Eli Brain. He started right on the money from ball one, bowling tight lines with a couple of slips in place to keep the pressure on.
“The idea was to finish at the stumps,” Baloda said.
His tactics worked immediately. He trapped Brain in front before Neel, after a 58-ball vigil, stepped down the track and was stumped. Zed Hollick fell in his next over as Australia slipped to 65 for six. Baloda had three wickets in his first four overs.
“I planned to keep bowling at the stumps, at tight lines, and restrict runs. Even our coach (Yere Goud) asked me not to bowl many variations and to have patience,” he said.
That patience was tested through his long first spell. Baloda bowled 18 overs on either side of lunch before returning for his second spell to remove Jacob Pietz and Thomas Vaseo, completing his maiden Youth Test five-for. Patrick Sullivan then edged one to give him his sixth wicket.
“It was my debut as well, for India U-19,” Baloda told Sportstar proudly.
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The Rohtak-born spinner wasn’t initially picked for the squad. He came in as a replacement for Rohit Yadav, who was withdrawn following an age discrepancy.
“I was in the CoE (Centre of Excellence) camp in Bengaluru when I got the call. I thought I might have a chance, and then I was told that I had been selected as a replacement for Rohit. It was a really nice feeling; I told my parents as well. They were also really happy,” Baloda said.
His route to India U-19 has been a long one. In the eight years since he began playing cricket, Baloda has made a few key decisions, including switching from pace to spin.
“I was a fast bowler till my first year in the U-16 district for Haryana. In a couple of games during a tournament, I bowled spin and, in one match, picked seven wickets. Then I decided to switch to spin altogether,” Baloda said.
After his Class 10 exams, Baloda was at a crossroads when his parents asked whether he wanted to continue playing cricket or pursue his studies; he chose the former. “My parents have been really supportive throughout and never said no to anything,” he said.
But his relatively slow progress through the age groups meant he missed out on the U-19 World Cup earlier this year. Now over 18, he won’t be eligible for the 2028 edition either.
“Now, I can only play U-23 and Ranji Trophy. I am not disappointed, though,” said Baloda, who made his senior First-Class debut earlier this year. He has already picked up 10 wickets in two games for Haryana.
After this game, Baloda will leave for Lahli, where he has been called up for Haryana’s first Ranji Trophy match of the season against Himachal Pradesh, starting October 11.
“My goal currently is to do well wherever I am getting to play. Be it the Ranji Trophy or anything, you need to do well there. Patience is the key to moving forward,” Baloda concluded.
Published on Oct 05, 2026
