In a dramatic mid-season move, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has parted ways with head coach Sulakshan Kulkarni and his support staff. This decision comes as a direct consequence of the team’s disappointing Ranji Trophy campaign, where they failed to qualify for the knockout stages, and a widely publicized fallout between the coach and captain.
The Flashpoint: Kulkarni vs. Sai Kishore
The decision to split with the coaches mid-season wasn’t based on performance alone; it was ignited by a public and acrimonious spat. The breaking point came after Tamil Nadu’s final group match against Karnataka. Needing an outright win, the team managed only a first-innings lead in a draw, ending their season.
In the post-match press conference, Kulkarni openly criticized his captain, R Sai Kishore, for choosing to bat first on a pitch helpful to bowlers. “We lost the match at 9 am on day one,” Kulkarni stated, directly blaming his skipper’s tactical decision for the team’s exit. This public censure broke the unwritten code of keeping dressing room discussions private and exposed a deep rift within the team’s leadership.
A Campaign of Two Halves: Tamil Nadu’s Ranji Trophy Struggles
Tamil Nadu’s 2023-24 Ranji Trophy season was a story of inconsistency. They began with two dominant outright victories against Railways and Tripura, looking like serious contenders. However, their momentum was shattered by a crushing innings defeat to Saurashtra, which exposed key vulnerabilities.
The team never fully recovered, and their inability to secure a necessary win against Karnataka was the final nail in the coffin. The Ranji Trophy struggles highlighted a lack of killer instinct at crucial moments, leading to their premature exit.
TNCA’s Swift Response and the Road Ahead
The TNCA’s response to the public fallout was swift. By removing Kulkarni, they sent a clear message of support for their young captain and the team’s morale. An interim coaching panel, likely featuring former state players, is expected to take charge for the upcoming white-ball tournaments. This move aims to restore stability and a “Tamil Nadu-first” culture to the dressing room.
However, this coaching overhaul raises a larger question. Is the coach the only problem? For a state that consistently produces IPL superstars like Washington Sundar, Sai Sudharsan, and Shahrukh Khan, the lack of red-ball success is baffling. Tamil Nadu has not won the Ranji Trophy since the 1987-88 season.
The constant churn of coaches and the team’s perceived lack of temperament for the longer format are recurring issues. While Kulkarni’s comments were untenable, the team’s failure cannot be pinned on a single toss. The TNCA’s real challenge now is to find a long-term solution—a mentor who can unify a star-studded dressing room and instill the grit required to conquer Indian domestic cricket‘s most coveted prize.
