<p>Former Karnataka skipper R Vinay Kumar ended his stint with Puducherry following an impressive show with the Plate-group team in the 2019-20 domestic season. </p>.<p>The right-arm medium pacer, who bid adieu to Karnataka cricket after 15 years to make room for upcoming youngsters in the State, was Puducherry’s top wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy with 45 wickets from nine games at an average of 11.31.</p>.<p>“I had only one-year contract with Puducherry and it expired at the end of my final Ranji Trophy game of the season,” Vinay told <span class="italic">DH</span> on Sunday </p>.<p>Vinay said due to the threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, his first priority is to stay safe. “Looking at the current situation, how the pandemic has shaken the entire country, I want to adopt a wait-and-watch approach. As a married man, I have to think about my family first,” the seasoned campaigner said.</p>.<p>The two-time Ranji Trophy winner didn’t rule out returning to action if there is a respite from the deadly virus. “The BCCI is yet to announce its domestic calendar. I will wait for that. A few reports say the virus will survive till February or March next year. But if things get better and if any State gives me a good offer, I will definitely play. For now, I will see this as a lengthy forced break,” said Vinay. </p>.<p>Leading the minnows’ pace attack, Vinay added another feather to his illustrious career by becoming the second pacer in the Ranji Trophy to bag 400 wickets. </p>.<p>“I liked Puducherry as a place. I enjoyed my cricket there. I did play nine Ranji games but I bowled only in seven games. In the final two matches, due to a niggle, I played just as a batsman. So in effect, 45 wickets from seven games is a good achievement. It was great to contribute both with ball and bat in all formats,” said the veteran of 504 first-class wickets from 139 matches.</p>.<p>At Puducherry, he had reunited with J Arun Akumar, who had earlier coached Karnataka in a successful five-season stint when Vinay was the skipper. Arun Kumar stepped down from his role after the domestic season citing too much interference from the association officials.</p>
<p>Former Karnataka skipper R Vinay Kumar ended his stint with Puducherry following an impressive show with the Plate-group team in the 2019-20 domestic season. </p>.<p>The right-arm medium pacer, who bid adieu to Karnataka cricket after 15 years to make room for upcoming youngsters in the State, was Puducherry’s top wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy with 45 wickets from nine games at an average of 11.31.</p>.<p>“I had only one-year contract with Puducherry and it expired at the end of my final Ranji Trophy game of the season,” Vinay told <span class="italic">DH</span> on Sunday </p>.<p>Vinay said due to the threat posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, his first priority is to stay safe. “Looking at the current situation, how the pandemic has shaken the entire country, I want to adopt a wait-and-watch approach. As a married man, I have to think about my family first,” the seasoned campaigner said.</p>.<p>The two-time Ranji Trophy winner didn’t rule out returning to action if there is a respite from the deadly virus. “The BCCI is yet to announce its domestic calendar. I will wait for that. A few reports say the virus will survive till February or March next year. But if things get better and if any State gives me a good offer, I will definitely play. For now, I will see this as a lengthy forced break,” said Vinay. </p>.<p>Leading the minnows’ pace attack, Vinay added another feather to his illustrious career by becoming the second pacer in the Ranji Trophy to bag 400 wickets. </p>.<p>“I liked Puducherry as a place. I enjoyed my cricket there. I did play nine Ranji games but I bowled only in seven games. In the final two matches, due to a niggle, I played just as a batsman. So in effect, 45 wickets from seven games is a good achievement. It was great to contribute both with ball and bat in all formats,” said the veteran of 504 first-class wickets from 139 matches.</p>.<p>At Puducherry, he had reunited with J Arun Akumar, who had earlier coached Karnataka in a successful five-season stint when Vinay was the skipper. Arun Kumar stepped down from his role after the domestic season citing too much interference from the association officials.</p>