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Tamil Nadu is hungry to do well in Ranji: Karthik
Within a span of a year, limited overs captain Dinesh Karthik turned a struggling Tamil Nadu team into a unit that remains a tough nut to crack.
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Chennai
Wicketkeeper-batsman Karthik led the state side admirably in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (50 overs) and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (20 overs), guiding it to a couple of runner-up finishes. But during the course of the T20 competition, the 34-year-old expressed his desire to take the back seat in the upcoming Ranji Trophy and let another member pick up the baton.
While talking to mediapersons during a promotional event here on Saturday, Karthik explained the reason behind taking such a decision. “Tamil Nadu has had various skippers over the years. The captaincy shouldn’t be just for this year, it must be at least for a couple more,” Karthik told reporters.
“It’s time for someone young and fresh to take Tamil Nadu forward. Vijay Shankar has had success in Vijay Hazare and has rightly been appointed the captain,” he said. There was speculation that the experienced campaigner would pick and choose his matches during the duration of the Ranji Trophy.
But, Karthik quashed such rumours and asserted he is focussed on the first two assignments, against southern rival Karnataka (in Dindigul) and Himachal Pradesh (in Tirunelveli). “We will take it as it comes. Tamil Nadu is placed in a tough group and will have some challenging matches. But the side will put its best foot forward.”
It’s been more than 30 years since Tamil Nadu last lifted the Ranji Trophy (1987-88). While backing young guns such as Washington Sundar, Baba Aparajith and Baba Indrajith to end the long drought, the India international felt it would take a bit of time for Tamil Nadu to get to the top of the ladder.
“They must start thinking ‘Which is the way Tamil Nadu should play in order to clinch the Ranji Trophy?’” The senior players must do the small roles of helping them,” remarked the Kolkata Knight Riders captain. Although the state team fell agonisingly close in the last two events, Karthik stated Tamil Nadu goes into the long-format competition with belief.
“We have the ability to handle pressure. Once we lost the first Super League game in Syed Mushtaq Ali, every match became a knockout. The way we did well in crunch clashes is something we will take into the Ranji Trophy. We have the attitude and hunger. It’s about going and delivering now,” signed off Karthik.
Want India to be No.1 in S&C: Shanker
Fitness studio and knowledge centre Primal Patterns, founded by former Strength and Conditioning coach of Indian Cricket Team Shanker Basu, on Saturday celebrated the completion of 10 years.
On the occasion, Basu revealed Primal Patterns has tied up with Chennai Tennis Workshop (CTW), which has Gopinath as its Director. “He (Gopinath) was a national-level player. He is a childhood friend of mine. Primal Patterns is extremely proud to partner with CTW in its fourth branch,” said Shanker.
India cricketer Dinesh Karthik and his wife Dipika Pallikal graced the event. “I have worked with tennis players in the past. It’s nice to be back in tennis and explore other sports,” added Shanker, who revealed his mission is to make India the leader in Strength and Conditioning. “I think we have the potential. It is very much possible for India to become No.1 around the globe.”
Shanker opined skipper Virat Kohli, who has set a high bar in the Indian team as far as fitness levels are concerned, can still do a little better. “Sky is the limit. I always tell the players that Usain Bolt and Novak Djokovic must be your idols,” he said. Shanker also narrated an interesting incident which took place during an Indian Premier League season.
“Earlier, I used to train with Kohli only in the summers. Once, during IPL, he saw Dipika going through her drills in Bangalore. He was shocked to learn the demands of an individual sport. He then took it up as a challenge and asked ‘Why can’t I do the same?’”
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