Pace-bowling all-rounder TD Lokesh Raj is a part of Siechem Madurai Panthers in the ongoing 2018 Sankar Cement-TNPL.

Although he is yet to get a game in what is his debut season in the premier competition, the 18-year-old from Madurai is unmissable owing to his stylish hairdo, swagger and bursting energy.

“I loved cricket since I was a little boy. I used to play a lot of tennis ball cricket during my early school days,” he recollected in a chat.

Lokesh studied in Madurai until class 9 before moving to Chennai to pursue his passion for the game.

“My father kept coming to Chennai for me and my parents were very supportive. Without them, I wouldn’t have been here playing in the Sankar Cement-TNPL,” said Lokesh, who joined St Bede’s School in Chennai.

“I knew I had to put in that extra effort once I shifted to Chennai. I kept myself mentally strong,” stated Lokesh, who turned out for UFCC in the TNCA senior division last season.

Speaking about the Sankar Cement-TNPL, Lokesh said, “I am really happy to have been picked at the Player draft after missing out in the previous two editions. Everyone is happy at home. My team is very helpful and supportive, the management, the coach and the trainer and they keep pushing me to perform better.”