Tamil Nadu’s new coach WV Raman is keen to get the team back to winning ways and form a fighting unit. He has been given a free hand by the association and will co-ordinate with the selectors before having a crack at the Ranji Trophy.
Raman said his job is easier this time than his previous stint as the boys have matured into professionals and the present side is a mixture of experience and youth.
“My first job will be to see how the players are at the moment: in terms of how much they have deviated from the norm. In case there is one (deviation), I’ll try to bring them back close to their accepted norm,’’ said Raman.
Has he set himself any target or goal for the new season? “My approach has always been one step at a time. I always believe in living in the present and taking one task at a time,” said the former India opener and Ranji Trophy stalwart.
With India touring South Africa at the end of the year, there is a possibility that M Vijay, R Ashwin and Dinesh Karthik will miss key games. “At times, key members may have to take on national duty. I believe it is a positive sign and not a matter to brood over,’’ said Raman.
Does this mean an opportunity for youngsters like Malolan Rangarajan and B Aparajith to make an impression? “I do not want to take names. I believe in teamwork and as a team TN should perform as a unit,’’ said Raman.
He believes in one captain for all the formats and refuses to follow the trend these days. “If a player is good enough to play all the formats and capable of leading in all, then there is no reason why he cannot captain in all three versions. I believe in one captain and there should be a change only when there is drastic shift,’’ he said.
He feels that his present stint is easier than the last one, “Last time I had to start from scratch. This time the side is a blend of experience and youth,’’ said Raman.
“My job is to co-ordinate with the selectors and see to it that the best available talents plays for the state. We are aware of the objectives and will work towards them,’’ Raman signed off.