Missing out on an India berth is a dream unfulfilled, says R Sathish

However, after a string of bad performances, Sathish shifted allegiance to Assam two years later and brought up a string of excellent performances, including his highest first-class score of an unbeaten 204 — ironically against Tamil Nadu. 

Sathish, who started playing cricket for fun, played for top-ranked teams in the domestic circuit and in the Indian Premier League (Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders). However, the Trichy-born cricketer admits not playing for the Indian team is a dream unfulfilled. “Cricket is my passion. I have always given my 100% and the regret of not playing in India colours will always be there. Unknowingly I might have made a mistake somewhere, that costed an Indian berth. It is a part of a cricketer’s life and we have to move on,” Sathish said. 

The 35-year-old career path was not smooth. With knee injuries plaguing at crucial junctures, some of Sathish’s most important months were spent in the confines of the injury rehab centres. However, the fighter he is, Sathish has bounced back with the same passion and intensity. “I think I have the fighting spirit in my genes. My father was in the army and I presume it is a manufacturing defect,” he laughed.

Leading the Chepauk Super Gillies in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, Sathish said his initial job was to make his teammates comfortable around him. “I have told them to transfer all the pressure to me and asked them to play cool. The league is a great chance for the youngsters to hog the limelight. They have to give their 100% and the only way they can do it is to stay composed. As an experienced player, it is my duty to guide the youngsters,” Sathish said. 

Having been a part of three big teams in the IPL, Sathish said the intensity was the same with CSG too. “We get the same top-level practice sessions. We use kookaburra balls in our practice sessions. We have top-quality physios and a high-performance analyst who takes minute details into account. The training sessions are informative, fun and exciting. It has been an above-par experience overall,” the skipper added.

Sathish said Hemang Badani is the best man for the coach’s job. “Almost all of us in the team have played with Hemang bhai at some point in our cricketing careers. The generation gap isn’t there between him and the players. He is as fit as a fiddle during training sessions. He has played for the country and it is much easier for him to strategise. He is miles ahead of all of us,” Sathish added.