Schedule needs a revamp

[1]

Tamil Nadu’s embarrassing defeat at the hands of Goa must have come as a wake up call to the state administration.

For a team that has generally dominated the shorter formats at national level and also reached the Ranji Trophy final this season, the reverse must have been hard to digest. Skill sets cannot diminish overnight but a tired body and mind can make even the best of players fragile.

There may be no need for a knee jerk reaction as most members of the current team have a proven track record but it is definitely time to look at the calendar closely and ensure the players get enough rest between games to recuperate. “A long drawn season will have ill effects.

I remember playing the first match of a new season barely a week after playing the last game of the previous season. Rest is crucial, especially in our weather conditions.

And unless we start playing on sporting tracks there is no way our players can prepare themselves for the higher level,” said former Indian opener S. Ramesh.

The players have been literally playing non-stop cricket. The league and limited overs tournaments are run long after the Ranji season.

For example the VA Parthasarathy Trophy knockouts is still pending but the one-day team is already competing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (South Zone). A good part of the league games (three-day) was pending when the state team completed their Ranji engagements. Ideally these tournaments should serve as a guide for selection.

Former Indian stumper, Bharath Reddy noted that an early start to the season is the best solution. “I cannot understand why we cannot start the league early.

I don’t think the players need more match practice than 11 games prior to the Ranji season. The knockouts can he be held after the first class season.”

National tournaments such as the Buchi Babu, Moin-ud-Dowla and KSCA have lost their sheen and playing in them as a state team adds no value. “Previously these tournaments had the best players in the country as it was impossible to get any sort of cricket during that period (Aug.-Sept.) in other parts of the country. With indoor facilities and players getting to play in overseas leagues the situation has changed,” explained Reddy.

For the corporates who invest heavily in players these days, they would like to see them turn out in more tournaments and add to their trophy shelf.

The top four teams in the league can be rewarded with a place in the Buchi Babu tournament instead of the association fielding two unbalanced sides.

Without a doubt the senior division league is the best run and most lucrative in the country. The foundation is firmly in place and now it is a matter of building on it to help the game and players prosper.

The calendar and the structure need a quick revamp. If the interest of the game is given precedence it is not impossible to bring about these changes, is anyone listening?