NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu skipper R Sai Kishore expressed confidence on Friday, stating that the team will rely on the experience and cricketing wisdom of coach Sulakshan Kulkarni.
Kulkarni, who possesses an in-depth understanding of Mumbai cricket, is expected to play a crucial role in formulating strategies to deliver a decisive blow to the 41-time champions in the upcoming Ranji Trophy semi-final starting in Mumbai on Saturday.
Tamil Nadu’s quest for the Ranji Trophy has seen them reach the semifinals, and the team is keen to make their mark after their last final appearance in the 2014-15 season, where they fell short against Karnataka.
The players and coaching staff are undoubtedly aiming to capitalize on this opportunity and advance to the final under Kulkarni’s guidance.
“Sulu sir always has his strategies (in place). He is always observant on the ground and that is one of his best qualities. There’s never a session where he dozes off. He has been of great help while captaining,” said Sai Kishore.
Kulkarni also hoped to put into use his vast knowledge of Mumbai cricket in favour of Tamil Nadu.
“I’ve told my team that Mumbai cricket is on my fingertips. I know each and every (player’s) positives and negatives. Yes, we respect our opponents because they’ve a big legacy. But we’ll have a good game,” Kulkarni said.
Sulakshan Kulkarni, a respected former Mumbai batter and the current coach of Tamil Nadu, emphasised that it is high time for the team to convert its talent into consistent trophy victories at the domestic level.
Acknowledging the abundant talent within the TN squad, Kulkarni appears to be advocating for a more sustained and successful performance in domestic competitions.
“We have (produced) so many Test cricketers including R Ashwin and Murali Vijay and so many (other) cricketers. We have played four (Ranji) finals in the last 15-20 years. It is not a bad performance. But a (Ranji) trophy (win) has eluded us,” Kulkarni said.
“This year we are playing quality cricket. The team bonding is great and, hopefully, we will break that jinx this year,” he added.
Sai Kishore agreed with his coach.
“We have won championships for Tamil Nadu in white-ball formats. So, we are very excited and want to win a red ball trophy as well. We are all motivated to do that, and that is the talk in the dressing room,” he said.
Tamil Nadu got a boost ahead of the last-four match as all-rounder Washington Sundar and top-order batter Bhardwaj Sai Sudharsan have joined the team.
Sudharsan, who has played just one match this season, has cleared a fitness test at NCA while Sundar, who has also appeared in one match, has been released from the India team so that he could link up with the state side.
Sai Kishore was delighted to welcome back the duo into the TN fold.
“Those two have worked hard in domestic (cricket) and have gone there (to play for India), they realise how important it is to show up here,” he said.
“We have played together for so many years. We are happy that they are here in the team. Usually, when the star India players come back in the team it can be a headache also. But with Washy and Sai, we have actually got a boost,” he explained.
Sai Kishore has been a standout performer for Tamil Nadu, leading their bowling attack with distinction by taking 47 wickets with his left-arm spin. His remarkable performance places him at the top of the wicket-taker’s table for the ongoing season.
Despite his individual success, Sai Kishore has expressed a grounded approach, choosing to live in the present rather than getting carried away with big dreams of an India call-up.
“I take great pride in my team winning tournaments more than my own performance – wickets or runs. I am just trying to live in the moment and enjoying it,” Sai Kishore said.
(With PTI inputs)
Kulkarni, who possesses an in-depth understanding of Mumbai cricket, is expected to play a crucial role in formulating strategies to deliver a decisive blow to the 41-time champions in the upcoming Ranji Trophy semi-final starting in Mumbai on Saturday.
Tamil Nadu’s quest for the Ranji Trophy has seen them reach the semifinals, and the team is keen to make their mark after their last final appearance in the 2014-15 season, where they fell short against Karnataka.
The players and coaching staff are undoubtedly aiming to capitalize on this opportunity and advance to the final under Kulkarni’s guidance.
“Sulu sir always has his strategies (in place). He is always observant on the ground and that is one of his best qualities. There’s never a session where he dozes off. He has been of great help while captaining,” said Sai Kishore.
Kulkarni also hoped to put into use his vast knowledge of Mumbai cricket in favour of Tamil Nadu.
“I’ve told my team that Mumbai cricket is on my fingertips. I know each and every (player’s) positives and negatives. Yes, we respect our opponents because they’ve a big legacy. But we’ll have a good game,” Kulkarni said.
Sulakshan Kulkarni, a respected former Mumbai batter and the current coach of Tamil Nadu, emphasised that it is high time for the team to convert its talent into consistent trophy victories at the domestic level.
Acknowledging the abundant talent within the TN squad, Kulkarni appears to be advocating for a more sustained and successful performance in domestic competitions.
“We have (produced) so many Test cricketers including R Ashwin and Murali Vijay and so many (other) cricketers. We have played four (Ranji) finals in the last 15-20 years. It is not a bad performance. But a (Ranji) trophy (win) has eluded us,” Kulkarni said.
“This year we are playing quality cricket. The team bonding is great and, hopefully, we will break that jinx this year,” he added.
Sai Kishore agreed with his coach.
“We have won championships for Tamil Nadu in white-ball formats. So, we are very excited and want to win a red ball trophy as well. We are all motivated to do that, and that is the talk in the dressing room,” he said.
Tamil Nadu got a boost ahead of the last-four match as all-rounder Washington Sundar and top-order batter Bhardwaj Sai Sudharsan have joined the team.
Sudharsan, who has played just one match this season, has cleared a fitness test at NCA while Sundar, who has also appeared in one match, has been released from the India team so that he could link up with the state side.
Sai Kishore was delighted to welcome back the duo into the TN fold.
“Those two have worked hard in domestic (cricket) and have gone there (to play for India), they realise how important it is to show up here,” he said.
“We have played together for so many years. We are happy that they are here in the team. Usually, when the star India players come back in the team it can be a headache also. But with Washy and Sai, we have actually got a boost,” he explained.
Sai Kishore has been a standout performer for Tamil Nadu, leading their bowling attack with distinction by taking 47 wickets with his left-arm spin. His remarkable performance places him at the top of the wicket-taker’s table for the ongoing season.
Despite his individual success, Sai Kishore has expressed a grounded approach, choosing to live in the present rather than getting carried away with big dreams of an India call-up.
“I take great pride in my team winning tournaments more than my own performance – wickets or runs. I am just trying to live in the moment and enjoying it,” Sai Kishore said.
(With PTI inputs)
