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Captain R Sai Kishore’s inner voice has played an important role in taking Tamil Nadu this far, but his decision to bat on a seam wicket against Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy semi-final was wrong, Tamil Nadu coach said on Monday , Sulakshan Kulkarni. In what turned out to be a surprising decision that sparked reactions including those from Saurashtra’s R Ashwin and Jaydev Unadkat, Sai Kishore put his team to bat first on a seam wicket that saw Tamil Nadu reel at 42/5 in the first session.
Tamil Nadu could never recover as they were bowled out for paltry totals of 146 and 162 in the two innings as Mumbai stormed into the final for the 48th time in the Ranji Trophy.
“The moment I saw the wicket I knew exactly what we were going to find,” Kulkarni told the media after the match.
“When I saw that they had played on a different pitch in the quarter-final and what a wicket they gave, (at that) moment I realized that this is a seam-friendly wicket and it was going to be a very difficult match, we would have to play very well to win this game.
“I always speak clearly: we lost the match at 9 o’clock on the first day. Everything was ready, we won the toss, as a coach, as a Mumbaikar, I know the conditions well. We should have bowled, but the captain did not have some different instinct .
“Ultimately, he is the boss. I can give my opinion and input (on) what kind of wickets and also the mentality of Mumbai. (From) 106/7, I knew before the match that this (Mumbai’s comeback) could happen”.
Kulkarni said Mumbai has the best bottom order in India.
“They are the best (No.) 9, 10 (and) in India. I told him in the dressing room that their batting starts after (No.) 6. I can lead the horse to water, the horse has to drink.” Kulkarni said Tamil Nadu’s plans were in place for both the draw results.
“We were mentally prepared for whoever wins the toss to pitch first. We knew we were going to pitch first. The moment (the TV broadcast) said we were going to bat first, whatever you say, it stays in the hitters’ minds. That first half hour (before the game) entered the minds of the hitters,” he said.
“When you get to the first over, third ball, your international player comes out and you see the situation… in the first hour we lost the game and the plot. It was very difficult to come back even though they were 107 for seven (106/7). ” Kulkarni said Tamil Nadu captain Sai Kishore’s “gut instinct” decision has worked both ways.
“Once again, the instinctive decision, that inner voice, has played an important role. If you can say positively, the inner voice has also helped to reach the semi-final,” he said.
“In the previous match against Saurashtra, he was third and scored 65. That was again the inner voice, that he has played positively. Every captain has a different mentality, so I would say, ‘Why not? I won’t blame the captain.” .
“Other captains in the last 7 or 8 years should have tried but they didn’t reach the semi-final. I saw it positively,” he added.
“Kishore can certainly take up 200 wickets”
However, the former Mumbai player and coach hailed left-arm spinner Kishore as a prospect to take 200 wickets in Test cricket if given the opportunity.
“I have seen a lot of left-arm bowlers in the last few years. As far as a left-arm bowler is concerned, he is a top-quality bowler because he has all the requirements to be a successful international bowler,” Kulkarni said.
“He has height, overspin, arm and bounce like Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja). If you play on these types of wickets, like India currently do, I think he can certainly take 200 wickets.”
Meanwhile, Kulkarni backed Ajinkya Rahane to lead Mumbai to their 42nd title in the final that began on March 10.
“I am a big admirer of Ajinkya Rahane. He has made a big difference in this team, although he has not performed as a batsman. But as a leader he adapted to the team. He is like my student since the under-15 days, he was a successful captain of India,” he said.
“He was the captain of the team when things were not going well for India. He has managed the team in such a way that now they will win the trophy with Ajinkya Rahane.”
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