Former pacer not happy with mindset of a few private academies, wants KSCA to set up four centres in Bengaluru
BENGALURU: In 2002, when the Karnataka State Cricket Association Academy was launched at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, it was one of the first association-run academies in the country. The emphasis was on tapping rural talent and the outreach of infrastructure and coaches. But over the years, the purpose of the Academy has been diluted and it has been non-functional since the Covid-19 pandemic.
With Karnataka failing to win a title across age groups both among men and women this season, former India pacer Javagal Srinath is of the opinion that the foundation at the academy-level has to be strengthened for the progress of the sport in the state.
In an exclusive interview with TOI, Srinath, who served as the secretary of KSCA for one term, dwelt on the role of the KSCA Academy and the need to groom youngsters for the longer format of the game.
Excerpts:
Is the relevance or players’ interest in the Ranji Trophy changing?
I haven’t been associated with the Karnataka team for a long time now but Anil (Kumble), Rahul (Dravid) and I follow their progress closely. Not just the senior team, we also keep a tab on age-group cricket. It was not easy to digest the (Ranji Trophy) quarterfinal defeat. I believe it is a cycle, the realisation should happen from the players’ point of view and they have to reinvent themselves. Ranji Trophy is a stepping stone to Test cricket and players keen to play the longer version of the game need to excel here at this level. It requires some amount of introspection from the players in terms of where and what they want to play. I hope it is not just IPL. If you want to connect better to the sport, the longer version is the way forward.
How has the players’ orientation towards the sport changed?
The orientation of the players at a young age is very important. We were lucky because our objective was just Test cricket, not even ODIs. Now it is different because IPL is very challenging. I don’t blame the tournament because it is the best tournament that we have produced not just for the country but globally. Guidance is required in emphasizing the importance and depth of red-ball cricket. A good red-ball cricketer with a good cricketing brain can always shift his game to suit any other format. Adaptability becomes very important here and when you groom them from a young age, it becomes easy to switch formats. Some of the greats have already done it.
Does the current structure need a relook?
I don’t know the existing structure because I’m pretty far away from it. That said, I think we need to insist on more two-day and three-day matches. The players have to play longer innings at the league level. That’s the only way you are going to build the inclination and mindset towards red-ball cricket.
Your take on private academies?
Some of the academies do not have the right attitude or objectives, we have to be careful and mindful of them. I have nothing against private academies, but cricket should not be sold, instead it has to be taught.
How important is the role of the KSCA Academy?
It is very crucial. I had a chat with Santosh (Menon), the KSCA secretary, recently. I suggested that the number of KSCA academies must increase. I believe that Bengaluru alone has at least 500 quality cricketers. Irrespective of which private academy they go to, the cream should be part of the KSCA Academy. It is the responsibility of KSCA to give them the best infrastructure. Having one academy in the KSCA premises does not suffice for a city like Bengaluru. We should have four association-run academies located in as many parts of the city. There has to be a uniform doctrine for all age groups with a common value system.
What about the need to tap more mofussil talent?
During our stint as administrators, the prime focus was on cricket infrastructure. Karnataka now has some of the best infrastructure, so it has to be put to better use to tap talent. In a city like Mysuru, KSCA should run an academy with 60-70 youngsters. That is what I would like to see, not just in Mysuru but in other districts as well.
BENGALURU: In 2002, when the Karnataka State Cricket Association Academy was launched at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, it was one of the first association-run academies in the country. The emphasis was on tapping rural talent and the outreach of infrastructure and coaches. But over the years, the purpose of the Academy has been diluted and it has been non-functional since the Covid-19 pandemic.
With Karnataka failing to win a title across age groups both among men and women this season, former India pacer Javagal Srinath is of the opinion that the foundation at the academy-level has to be strengthened for the progress of the sport in the state.
In an exclusive interview with TOI, Srinath, who served as the secretary of KSCA for one term, dwelt on the role of the KSCA Academy and the need to groom youngsters for the longer format of the game.
Excerpts:
Is the relevance or players’ interest in the Ranji Trophy changing?
I haven’t been associated with the Karnataka team for a long time now but Anil (Kumble), Rahul (Dravid) and I follow their progress closely. Not just the senior team, we also keep a tab on age-group cricket. It was not easy to digest the (Ranji Trophy) quarterfinal defeat. I believe it is a cycle, the realisation should happen from the players’ point of view and they have to reinvent themselves. Ranji Trophy is a stepping stone to Test cricket and players keen to play the longer version of the game need to excel here at this level. It requires some amount of introspection from the players in terms of where and what they want to play. I hope it is not just IPL. If you want to connect better to the sport, the longer version is the way forward.
How has the players’ orientation towards the sport changed?
The orientation of the players at a young age is very important. We were lucky because our objective was just Test cricket, not even ODIs. Now it is different because IPL is very challenging. I don’t blame the tournament because it is the best tournament that we have produced not just for the country but globally. Guidance is required in emphasizing the importance and depth of red-ball cricket. A good red-ball cricketer with a good cricketing brain can always shift his game to suit any other format. Adaptability becomes very important here and when you groom them from a young age, it becomes easy to switch formats. Some of the greats have already done it.
Does the current structure need a relook?
I don’t know the existing structure because I’m pretty far away from it. That said, I think we need to insist on more two-day and three-day matches. The players have to play longer innings at the league level. That’s the only way you are going to build the inclination and mindset towards red-ball cricket.
Your take on private academies?
Some of the academies do not have the right attitude or objectives, we have to be careful and mindful of them. I have nothing against private academies, but cricket should not be sold, instead it has to be taught.
How important is the role of the KSCA Academy?
It is very crucial. I had a chat with Santosh (Menon), the KSCA secretary, recently. I suggested that the number of KSCA academies must increase. I believe that Bengaluru alone has at least 500 quality cricketers. Irrespective of which private academy they go to, the cream should be part of the KSCA Academy. It is the responsibility of KSCA to give them the best infrastructure. Having one academy in the KSCA premises does not suffice for a city like Bengaluru. We should have four association-run academies located in as many parts of the city. There has to be a uniform doctrine for all age groups with a common value system.
What about the need to tap more mofussil talent?
During our stint as administrators, the prime focus was on cricket infrastructure. Karnataka now has some of the best infrastructure, so it has to be put to better use to tap talent. In a city like Mysuru, KSCA should run an academy with 60-70 youngsters. That is what I would like to see, not just in Mysuru but in other districts as well.
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