M. Venkataramana has been appointed as the top coach of Kerala Ranji Trophy cricket workforce. File
| Photograph Credit score: The Hindu
Kerala hasn’t certified for the knock-out stage of the Ranji Trophy after taking part in the semifinals, for the primary time ever, in 2018-19. One of many foremost goals of M. Venkataramana, who was appointed on August 8 as Kerala’s head coach, is to understand the workforce’s full potential in white-ball cricket.
“I imagine there may be loads of expertise in Kerala cricket,” Venkataramana, former India and Tamil Nadu off-spinner informed The Hindu over telephone. “Kerala has certified for the knock-out stage of the Ranji Trophy within the latest previous, and I believe the workforce might do it but once more.”
He takes over from former India pacer Tinu Yohannan, below whom Kerala did pretty effectively in white-ball tournaments. “Sure, Kerala’s efficiency has been in good in limited-overs cricket and I’m positive it may very well be replicated within the Ranji Trophy as effectively,” mentioned Venkataramana, whose teaching assignments up to now embrace Tamil Nadu and South Zone (Duleep Trophy). “With senior gamers like Jalaj Saxena and Sachin Child, each of whom did very effectively final season, Kerala has the assets to kind a stable aspect for First Class cricket. I’m additionally trying ahead to working with younger abilities like Rohan Kunnummal.”
He mentioned Kerala cricket had come a great distance since his taking part in days with Tamil Nadu. “I might say the principle motive for that’s the enchancment Kerala has made within the infrastructure and the publicity gamers have had taking part in outdoors Kerala, in locations like Chennai,” he mentioned. “I do know a lot of the Kerala gamers and am impressed with them.”
He mentioned he needed to take Kerala to the knock-out of the Ranji Trophy. “And I additionally wish to enhance the feeder system of Kerala cricket,” he mentioned. “I’m actually trying ahead to teaching the Kerala workforce. It will be a problem that I wish to take pleasure in. I hope to hitch the workforce by the tip of the month.”