Kumaran calls it quits

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Former Indian ODI and Tamil Nadu medium pacer Thirunavu-kkarasu Kumaran has called it a day. The 36-year-old played 31 first-class games and eight ODIs for the country and if not for a serious back injury and inconsistent selection policies, should have gone on to play a lot more. Kumaran spoke about his career and what his new found love – coaching.

On his career: Looking back I could have played more for both my state and country but no complaints. The back injury I suffered did play a huge part in hampering my progress. I did try to play for another state in the Ranji Trophy but things did not work in my favour.

Looking back there are lots of positives that emerged. I made a lot of friends. The rapport I share with Zaheer Khan is special, we spent our formative years together and he has not changed one bit from then.

On what he learnt from Dennis Lillee at the MRF Pace Foundation: I was fortunate to spend eight long years under him at the foundation. When I suffered my first injury he told me these words that ring in my ears till date. “Wear out instead of rot out”. It was because of him I started training harder. I learnt a lot from the legend and I try putting them to use as a coach.

On joining the ICL: I wanted to prove a point to myself by competing against some of the best in the world. There was talk that my India cap was a fluke and I wanted to prove that wrong. My performance in the ICL was good and I was pleased with that.

I also got to interact closely with Michael Bevan from whom I learnt a lot about the mental side of coaching. (Kumaran recorded the best strike rate, 12.69, in the ICL).

On his best performances: The five wickets I took for Wills XI against Mumbai in the Wills Trophy and Queensland in Brisbane in a tour game are the ones I enjoyed most.

However it was the 10-wickets (match haul) I achieved against Karnataka that helped my India selection.

The hundred I scored for South Zone against North Zone in the Duleep Trophy and the partnership I shared with VVS Laxman in that innings was the best to me as a batsman.

On people who played a key role in shaping his career: PP Swathy, S. Jaikumar and G. Shyamsundar have been pillars of strength throughout my career.

My previous employers MRF and current employers Precision Infomatic and their three directors who share great passion for the game have played an important role as well.

On taking to coaching: Ten years back injury management was still in its infancy and I was forced to pay the price.

I decided then that I would give something back to the game by helping budding fast bowlers both in terms of technique and training methods.

I must thank Robin Singh for providing me an opportunity to work with Khulna Royal Bengal as assistant coach in the BPL.

I also coach some players in the Dallas League (USA) and help school kids there who have shown interest in the game.