The Tamil Nadu cricket team’s disappointing semi-final exit in the Ranji Trophy has taken an unexpected turn, with coach Sulakshan Kulkarni placing the blame squarely on captain Sai Kishore’s toss decision.
Kulkarni’s Blunt Assessment
Following Tamil Nadu’s crushing innings defeat to Mumbai, Kulkarni openly stated, “We lost the match at 9 o’clock on day one.” He elaborated, claiming to have known the nature of the wicket based on his experience as a Mumbai player and coach. He argued that the team should have bowled first, despite Kishore opting to bat.
Dinesh Karthik, the Indian wicketkeeper, strongly condemned Kulkarni’s comments, labelling them “so wrong” and “disappointing.” Hemang Badani, a former Tamil Nadu captain, also expressed disapproval, stating that Kulkarni had “thrown Sai Kishore under the bus.”
Kishore’s Decision Backfires
Kishore’s decision to bat first proved disastrous, as Tamil Nadu crumbled to 42/5 early on. They were eventually dismissed for a mere 146 runs. While they initially put Mumbai under pressure at 106/7, a century from Shardul Thakur propelled Mumbai to a commanding total of 378, virtually sealing Tamil Nadu’s fate.
Coach Defends Position While Offering Explanation
Kulkarni, despite the criticism, defended his stance, emphasising that he offered his “feedback and inputs” based on his understanding of the wicket and Mumbai’s approach. He claimed that the team was mentally prepared to bowl first and that the decision to bat first negatively impacted their batsmen’s mindset. He further elaborated that losing a key player early compounded the issue, making it difficult for the team to recover.
Whether Kulkarni’s remarks were a legitimate expression of his coaching assessment or an attempt to deflect blame remains unclear. The incident has undeniably created a rift within the team and sparked debate within the cricketing community. It remains to be seen if this controversy will have any lasting impact on Tamil Nadu cricket and how the team will move forward from this experience.
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