For Tamil Nadu, it turned out to be another season that held promise but one that did not materialise into anything meaningful. Barring S. Badrinath, no one else had the quality or the mental make-up to raise their game in a pressure situation. The quarterfinal and semi-final was filled with tactical errors. It was irony that weather turned out to be their biggest ally in Rohtak, after incessant rains almost put paid to the hopes in the league stages. Post mortem is not of much help in sport, unless the players decide to listen, correct their mistakes and come out stronger next time around.
A home final against a depleted Baroda was on the menu and Tamil Nadu could not have asked for anything more. It is a pity that a player like Badri who gave it all will not figure in the summit clash. R. Ashwin and Badri proved to be the best. No new names emerged while seniors continued to struggle. It’s time for the selectors to look at the future and start blooding youngsters.
The factors that denied Tamil Nadu
Poor selection: It’s time selectors started watching senior division games and age group cricket. If statistics can help solve the issue, a basic computer would do. Medium pacers J. Kaushik and D. Tamil Kumaran were the best on view in the league games but they never got to be a part of the squad! N. Einstein, B. Indrajith and B. Aparajith deserve a chance ahead of batsmen who have taken their time and failed to consolidate. Players have started taking their place for granted.
Team combination in the SF: The captain has been rigid at times. What was the reason to bowl first on a dry wicket and if a bowler like Yo Mahesh, who has been in the squad way too long, is not the fourth best seamer in the team, why name him in the squad? Lack of confidence in the left-arm spinner Aushik Srinivas is not helping the balance. If the youngster was not fit, then go public. Lack of transparency has been hurting the side for long.
Poor fielding unit: Claims are that that this unit has worked hard for the last three seasons but none of that is evident on the field. Sunil Sam and R. Suthesh were below average and too many easy runs were allowed. Catching, especially close to the bat has not been the strength for a while. Dinesh Karthik will be doing himself, the state and even the country a huge favour by giving up the gauntlets. If the energy can be trained solely at batting it would benefit everyone, although his effort in Jaipur was up to the mark.
Batsmen falling under pressure, lack of application: The likes of Abhinav Mukund and K. Shri Vasudevadas have played enough first class cricket to understand the demands better. Flashy 30s and 40s will not do. Shot selection adopted by the likes of R. Sathish and C. Ganapathy should be condemned. Discipline is the key and the top-order showed none of it. There is a lot to learn from Badri.
What needs to be done: For the next 3-4 seasons, winning the Trophy should be forgotten and focus should be on building a side that will challenge the best in the country on a regular basis, Fear of failure has been the biggest bugbear. To stay in the Elite group should be the only aim. Many players are past their sell-by dates and there is no place for emotion.
L. Balaji’s workload has to be reduced while an effective spin back up has to be in place. All this is not possible in one season, the need of the hour is a proper road map and one that stays away from the ugly inter-corporate rivalry.