Tamil Nadu's record could be much better
In the third part of a series on the Ranji Trophy semifinalists, the author looks at why and how Tamil Nadu's record is not in keeping with its talent and reputation
Partab Ramchand
08-Apr-2000
In the third part of a series on the Ranji Trophy semifinalists,
the author looks at why and how Tamil Nadu's record is not in
keeping with its talent and reputation.
Even leading players from other states readily concede that cricketers
from Tamil Nadu have plenty of talent but they don't do justice to
their prodigious gifts. Because of this, Tamil Nadu's record in the
Ranji Trophy is not as good as it should be. Two title triumphs - 33
years apart - and six times runners-up in 65 years is not exactly an
achievement that those associated with the game in the State can be
proud of.
Certainly there has been no problem with Tamil Nadu cricket as far as
the zonal level is concerned. On numerous occasions, they have topped
the South Zone Championship even in the face of stiff competition from
Karnataka and Hyderabad. It is in the knock out stage that the State
teams have failed to deliver. Pitted against Bombay and Delhi, Tamil
Nadu has repeatedly faltered. Certainly it would seem to be largely
psychological for Tamil Nadu lost more than a dozen times to Bombay
before finally defeating them for the first time in 1995-96. Against
Delhi, the record was: played six, lost six before Tamil Nadu scored
their first victory, again in 1995-96 on the way to their eighth entry
into the Ranji Trophy final.
Indeed, during the initial years of the Ranji Trophy, great things
were expected from Madras (as the state was known till 1970). A
victory in just one day against Mysore in the inaugural fixture at
Chepauk in 1934-35 augured well for them. By the second year of the
national competition, Madras had entered the final before losing to
Bombay. With players like CP Johnstone, M Baliah, C Ramaswami, MJ
Gopalan and AG Ram Singh around, Madras were always serious contenders
for the trophy and they made their second entry into the title round
in 1940-41 before going down to the formidable Maharashtra side, led
by DB Deodhar.
The forties were not a very prolific period despite the fact that many
of the old stalwarts were still around and CR Rangachari and NJ
Venkatesan had bolstered the bowling. It was not until 1954-55 that
Madras were able to lay their hands upon the trophy for the first
time, with a creditable victory over a strong Holkar side at
Indore. By this time, outstanding young players had been discovered in
AG Kripal Singh and CD Gopinath and the two played a notable part in
that great triumph.
Not unexpectedly, hopes were high in the state that the maiden victory
would mark a turning point in Madras' fortunes in the Ranji
Trophy. However over the next decade, the state side flattered only to
deceive. Madras won the South Zone championship in 1958-59, 1960-61
and 1961-62 but lost each time to Bombay, Rajasthan and Delhi. By now
players like VV Kumar and AG Milkha Singh had been unearthed and with
Kripal Singh and Gopinath around, Madras were still a team not to be
taken lightly.
The 1967-68 season did promise to be one of fulfillment. Madras were a
well balanced outfit and for once they played to their potential. By
this time Venkatraghavan had been around for a few years and he and
Kumar formed a deadly spin duo, the batting in the hands of KR
Rajagopal, skipper PK Belliappa, Michael Dalvi, AG Milkha Singh and AG
Satwender Singh was sound and there were a couple of handy medium pace
bowlers in Bhaskar and Prabhakar. The side won all their four games
in the zone and then defeated Madhya Pradesh in the quarterfinal and
Services in the semifinal. With six straight victories behind them,
they were confidence personified. Their opponents in the final were
Bombay. But an important point in the southern team's favour was the
fact that Bombay were without six of their main players, away on
national duty in New Zealand. For once, Madras were installed as
favourites against Bombay. But in what was a major disappointment for
thousands of cricket lovers in the state, Madras lost on the first
innings to a determined Bombay side.
By the early seventies, Tamil Nadu were rebuilding under the captaincy
of Venkatraghavan. He proved to be a shrewd skipper and in 1972-73,
completely against expectations, led his young team into the
final. Again the opponents were Bombay. And again Bombay triumphed,
this time in the infamous final at Chepauk which lasted two days and a
single delivery on the third day.
Venkat continued to try his best but throughout the 70s and 80s, the
team faltered, losing repeatedly to the old nemesis Bombay and
Delhi. Even the most optimistic Tamil Nadu cricket follower had by now
given up all hopes of the state winning the Ranji Trophy when there
was a most pleasant surprise in 1987-88. There was nothing in the
state's performance at the zonal level to indicate that something
special was round the corner. But ably led by all rounder S Vasudevan,
the team did show determination, dedication and concentration -
qualities that the players generally lacked. Of course some fine
cricketers had been discovered in the 80s - Robin Singh, B Arun, VB
Chandrasekhar, M Venkatramana and L Sivaramakrishnan - while old
guards like the captain, V Sivaramakrishnan and K Srikkanth were still
around. The blend of youth and experience worked and with luck too
playing a hand - Delhi eliminated Bombay in the quarterfinals and were
themselves eliminated by Railways in the penultimate round narrowly on
run quotient - Tamil Nadu were worthy victors after a very long time.
Over the last decade however Tamil Nadu has again flattered only to
deceive. The batting of WV Raman and Sadagopan Ramesh, the all round
skills of Robin Singh and Diwakar Vasu and the bowling of Sunil
Subramaniam and Venkatramana have all been plus points but all this
has not been enough to win the trophy. In 1988-89, Tamil Nadu lost in
the semifinal to Bengal. Then in 1991-92 and 1995-96 they entered the
finals, losing to Delhi and Karnataka. This year however there seems
to be a sense of purpose in their play, going by their performances at
the zonal level, the Super League and in the quarterfinal against
Punjab. Ahead of them is - Bombay! Will they choke again? Or has the
jinx been well and truly broken by the victory four years ago? We
shall soon know.