International Cricket
Lakshmi Balaji became a member of the Indian cricket team in 2003. Playing for his state team since 2001, he made his Test debut against New Zealand at Ahmedabad in 2003. He was recognised after his performance in the 2004 India Pakistan series. In that series, he played a significant part in Indian team's historic victories. But after an injury, his international cricket career was put on hold. He made a comeback in Pakistan's 2005 tour of India, taking 5 wickets in the first innings. Injury kept him out of cricket for the next 3 years. Balaji made his return to domestic cricket in 2007. After a strong 2008 domestic season where Balaji was instrumental in helping Tamil Nadu reach the Ranji Trophy semifinals, Balaji was called up to the international squad in January 2009 to replace an injured Munaf Patel who sustained a groin injury. Balaji was included in the playing XI for the final match of the series against Sri Lanka. India went on to lose the match. Balaji was rested for the subsequent Twenty20 match. In February the BCCI announced that Balaji had been dropped from the ODI squad to tour New Zealand but had been selected for the test squad. Thus marking Balaji's return to the test squad after a five year hiatus having last been part of the test squad in the 2004 series against Pakistan.
On July 18, 2012 he has been included in 30 probables for the World T20 tournament to be played in Sri Lanka in September 2012.And subsequently was selected in the final 15-member squad.He made his comeback into the Indian side in the second T20 International against New Zealand at his home ground-Chennai.
Read more about this topic: Lakshmipathy Balaji
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