CHENNAI: For Tamil Nadu, winning the Ranji Trophy has remained a distant dream for the last 34 years. Last season was especially disappointing with the team failing to go beyond the group stages and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association have shown some intent by hiring an outstation coach even before the final was over.
Former Mumbai coach Sulakshan Kulkarni, who has been appointed as head coach, has his task cut out as he arrives in the city at the beginning of March. "I was supposed to start in June but didn't want to waste any time… I will come to Chennai in the first week of March and watch the TNCA first division league matches so that I can see the talents," Kulkarni told TOI on Wednesday.
He has plans to conduct two 15-day camps at Dehradun or Dharmshala and 10-day camp at TNCA suggested grounds.
Tamil Nadu, whose last final entry was in the 2014-15 season, have been a disappointment in red-ball cricket for a while now. Despite being one of the best teams in white-ball cricket, TN have been unable to make a similar impact in the longer version.
"Over the last 15 years Tamil Nadu have produced so many international cricketers, which is a rare achievement for any state. Vidarbha and Saurashtra won so many Ranji titles but they haven't produced many international cricketers like Tamil Nadu. I have realized that Tamil Nadu cricketers have great potential to win the Ranji title but their approach to the game has to change. They must realize the value of winning the Ranji title. Mumbai won so many titles because they play to protect their legacy and pride. Tamil Nadu have done exceptionally well in the white-ball cricket and now they will have to come up with similar shows in red-ball cricket too," Kulkarni said.
The former Mumbai captain wants TN to emulate the winning mentality of the Saurashtra team that has helped them clinch two titles in the last three years.
"Take Saurashtra as a case study. They requested the Indian team management to release Jaydev Unadkat for the Ranji final against Bengal this year and he took 9 wickets which eventually decided the fate of the match. It's called commitment. I love this approach. Tamil Nadu players have all the weapons in their armoury but they need to have that burning desire to win the Ranji title. One must understand that this is not an individual game, they have to play as a unit to win the prestigious Ranji title," Kulkarni, who was the Mumbai coach during their 2013 triumph, said.
Unearthing fast bowler need of the hour
According to the former stumper, Tamil Nadu will have to unearth pacers who can swing the ball around and that will be his first aim as he takes charge."The fast bowling department has to improve. We must have some genuine pacer bowlers who can bowl at 135/kmph and also swing the ball and become useful on seaming tracks in the away games," the gutsy right-hander said.
Kulkarni also wants a mental conditioning coach
Kulkarni feels having the right attitude will be important and it is crucial to have a killer instinct to succeed. The coach will ask the TNCA to hire a mental conditioning coach, who can work with the players. "Changing the atmosphere in the dressing room and instilling killer instinct will be my primary targets. You must remember taking part in a race is a good idea but people only remember if you cross the finish line ahead of others," he quipped.
Kulkarni also suggested that the Tamil Nadu cricketers must take inspiration from R Ashwin, who proved that hard work and tenacity can really make things happen. "I have high regards for Ashwin. The way he performed in Test cricket, it proves that he worked very hard and has a strong character. His killer instinct, his approach and desire to go to the top have made him one of the best Test players in the country. Tamil Nadu players must look up to him and follow his path to achieve bigger goals in life," Kulkarni said.
