 "Ranji Trophy: Tamil Nadu coach throws Sai Kishore under the bus — what happened and who said what")
Tamil Nadu’s exit from the Ranji Trophy semi-finals was met with scathing criticism, especially towards captain R Sai Kishore. Tamil Nadu on Monday succumbed to an innings defeat to Mumbai in the second semifinal of the Ranji Trophy, and head coach Sulakshan Kulkarni was far from pleased with how his team performed. Tamil Nadu had won the toss against Mumbai and skipper Sai Kishore opted to bat on what was a pitch that offered assistance to the seamers. As a result, Tamil Nadu found themselves at 42/5 at one stage, before collapsing to a total of 146.
Shardul Thakur then did Mumbai’s star turn with a century that helped Mumbai take a 232-run lead, that eventually set the platform for their win. And in TN’s second innings, the visitors were never really in the game after they fell to 162 despite a knock of 70 from Baba Indrajith.
This led a furious Sulakshan to hit out at Sai Kishore’s decision to bat first. “The moment I saw the wicket I exactly knew what we were going to get,” Sulakshan told mediapersons after the match.
“When I saw that they had played on a different pitch in the quarterfinal and what wicket they gave, (that) moment I realised that this is a seaming-friendly wicket and it was going to be a very tough match, we would have to play really well to win this game.
“I always speak straightforward — we lost the match at 9’o clock on Day One. Everything was set, we won the toss, as a coach, as a Mumbaikar, I know the conditions well. We should have bowled but the captain had some different instinct.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“Ultimately he is the boss. I can give my feedback and inputs (as to) what kind of wickets and Mumbai’s mindset also. (From) 106/7, I knew before the match that this (Mumbai’s fightback) may happen,” he had added.
Who said what
Dinesh Karthik defended Sai Kishore and felt that the youngster was treated harshly. “This is so disappointing from the coach ..instead of backing the captain who has brought the team to the semis after 7 years and thinking it’s a start for good things to happen, the coach has absolutely thrown his captain and team under the bus,” Karthik posted on ‘X’.
Former cricketer Hemang Badani also echoed Karthik’s views, saying: Oh boy the coach Sulakshan Kulkarni has thrown the captain Sai Kishore under the bus. Whatever happens in a team environment stays there and you don’t set the captain on fire and go public about this. Good coaches don’t do that. #MumvsTn #RanjiTrophy”.
Harsha Bhogle, noted cricket commentator, felt that the Tamil Nadu coach had let his team down. “I am always wary of coaches moving away from team decisions when things go wrong. It sends poor signals to everyone. Once Tamil Nadu lost to Mumbai, they needed everyone to be together; that is when your team is tested. I fear Tamil Nadu’s coach has let his team down.”
I am always wary of coaches moving away from team decisions when things go wrong. It sends poor signals to everyone. Once Tamil Nadu lost to Mumbai, they needed everyone to be together; that is when your team is tested. I fear Tamil Nadu's coach has let his team down.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 5, 2024
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