Having missed the top prize only by a whisker in the previous edition, Tamil Nadu heads into the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) 2021 with a weight of expectation on its shoulders. But, the state side’s head coach D Vasu is relaxed and optimistic about progressing to the latter stages of the domestic T20 competition.
Tamil Nadu coach upbeat about team’s prospects.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu, runner-up in 2019-20, is placed in Elite Group B alongside host Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Assam and Hyderabad. “We have a very good team. We have got a lot of exciting players in our squad. We should do well this year,” Vasu told DT Next from Kolkata.
“Wicketkeeper-batsman KB Arun Karthik and pacer Aswin Crist have made a comeback. We also have fast bowler Sandeep Warrier, who has joined us from Kerala. We look forward to having a good tournament,” said Vasu. Vasu is also pleased to once again join forces with skipper Dinesh Karthik, who used his resources productively on the way to the 2019-20 final. “Karthik is a very experienced player as well as a captain. We are happy to be working with him again. We have Vijay Shankar as our vice-captain. Both players are very good at what they do,” he added.
The 20-man squad, named by the Tamil Nadu Men’s Senior State Selection Committee at the end of 2020, has got all bases covered. And, Vasu wants every player from the touring party to push for a spot in the eleven.
“Most of them are doing well. Once we have practice sessions in Kolkata, we will know where the players stand in terms of form and fitness. While selecting the line-up, the team management will also keep in mind the ground conditions. But, I want everyone in the squad to show what they have,” Vasu made it clear.
The entire Tamil Nadu unit landed in Kolkata on Saturday and is undergoing the mandatory quarantine. The state team will come out of quarantine on January 7 and will have only a couple of days to prepare as the event begins on January 10.
However, Vasu, whose boys had a short training camp and a few practice matches in Chennai in the lead-up to SMAT 2021, isn’t bothered. “The players are back in action and I’m glad that we have cricket in India. Domestically, it is extremely important to start playing. Not only IPL but also domestic tournaments are important for Indian cricket.”
“Wicketkeeper-batsman KB Arun Karthik and pacer Aswin Crist have made a comeback. We also have fast bowler Sandeep Warrier, who has joined us from Kerala. We look forward to having a good tournament,” said Vasu. Vasu is also pleased to once again join forces with skipper Dinesh Karthik, who used his resources productively on the way to the 2019-20 final. “Karthik is a very experienced player as well as a captain. We are happy to be working with him again. We have Vijay Shankar as our vice-captain. Both players are very good at what they do,” he added.
The 20-man squad, named by the Tamil Nadu Men’s Senior State Selection Committee at the end of 2020, has got all bases covered. And, Vasu wants every player from the touring party to push for a spot in the eleven.
“Most of them are doing well. Once we have practice sessions in Kolkata, we will know where the players stand in terms of form and fitness. While selecting the line-up, the team management will also keep in mind the ground conditions. But, I want everyone in the squad to show what they have,” Vasu made it clear.
The entire Tamil Nadu unit landed in Kolkata on Saturday and is undergoing the mandatory quarantine. The state team will come out of quarantine on January 7 and will have only a couple of days to prepare as the event begins on January 10.
However, Vasu, whose boys had a short training camp and a few practice matches in Chennai in the lead-up to SMAT 2021, isn’t bothered. “The players are back in action and I’m glad that we have cricket in India. Domestically, it is extremely important to start playing. Not only IPL but also domestic tournaments are important for Indian cricket.”
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