Tamil Nadu’s recent defeat against Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy semifinal has stirred up controversy, especially with coach Sulakshan Kulkarni openly criticizing captain R Sai Kishore’s decision-making. Kulkarni’s comments have elicited strong reactions from former cricketers, including Krishnamachari Srikkanth, Hemang Badani, and Dinesh Karthik, who have expressed their disappointment over his public critique.
After Tamil Nadu’s loss, Kulkarni attributed the defeat to Kishore’s decision to bat first in bowler-friendly conditions, going against the team’s preferred choice to bowl first. He claimed that the captain changed his decision at the last minute, causing confusion in the dressing room. Srikkanth, in particular, condemned Kulkarni’s behavior, urging the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) not to hire coaches from outside the state who resort to such tactics.
This is absolutely not fair. Dear TNCA, please do not recruit such coaches from outside (the state),” Krishnamachari Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
“I told him (Sai Kishore) that we will bowl first if we win the toss. That was the last communication I had with the captain before the toss, and it happened about five to seven minutes before he went to the middle. He suddenly decided to bat first and everyone in the dressing room was stunned. Even the opponents were (stunned),” Kulkarni had said as quoted by TOI.
The match itself saw Tamil Nadu struggle against Mumbai’s dominant performance. Opting to bat first, Tamil Nadu collapsed to 42 for 5 in the opening session and eventually managed only 146 runs. Despite Kishore’s five-wicket haul, Mumbai took control with Shardul Thakur scoring a century and Tanush Kotian contributing 89 runs. Mumbai declared at 378 for 9, setting a challenging target for Tamil Nadu.
In the second innings, Tamil Nadu could only muster 162 runs before being bowled out, resulting in an innings and 70-run victory for Mumbai. The defeat ended Tamil Nadu’s campaign in the Ranji Trophy, while Mumbai advanced to the final with a commanding performance.
The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in high-pressure situations and the importance of maintaining unity within the team. It underscores the need for a cohesive team environment to succeed in competitive cricket, highlighting the delicate balance between constructive criticism and public scrutiny in the sport.
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