TN’s internal issues not as serious as portrayed, says new TNCA secretary Bhagwandas Rao

Transitions are never easy, but they need not be overwhelming either. Often, what makes the difference is having the right people in the right roles at the right time. Tamil Nadu cricket, despite boasting a rich talent pool, has not quite lived up to its potential in recent years. However, a change in guard — particularly at the administrative level — could well be the catalyst for a turnaround.

In an exclusive interaction with the  Sportstar, U. Bhagwandas Rao, recently elected as the Honorary Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association, spoke candidly about the challenges ahead and outlined his vision for the road forward.

ALSO READ | Pacer Rajesh Mohanty becomes first-ever Odisha bowler to pick a hat-trick in List A cricket

“Firstly, it’s a matter of great honour and responsibility. It is a significant position with high expectations attached to it. Over the past year or two, we have experienced a few setbacks across age groups, which naturally affect perceptions.

“That said, performance in sport is never a straight line. There will be phases. The important thing is not to stagnate or decline. Fortunately, we have a fair understanding of where the issues lie. The entire group is collectively working on solutions,” said Bhagwandas.

“The game itself has changed. Every state now operates with a clear vision, it shows how far the game has moved. Perhaps we became complacent, while other states caught up and surged ahead. But that also presents an opportunity for us to raise our standards again. There is also a generational transition underway. Comparing the current squad to the previous teams, when we dominated, may not be entirely fair. These players need time to grow into their own identity.” added Bhagwandas.

“Everyone wants to win the Ranji Trophy, but hope alone doesn’t take you anywhere. We need to go back to the basics and identify where we’ve fallen short. For nearly two decades, Tamil Nadu hasn’t cracked the Ranji formula consistently.”

“The Ranji Trophy is serious business. It requires a dedicated red-ball core — players groomed specifically for multi-day cricket. Unfortunately, the IPL has altered priorities. Many players approach Ranji cricket with a white-ball mindset, looking for instant impact rather than playing the situation.”

“Talent isn’t the issue; cohesion, mindset, and clarity are. Selecting 15 players is easy. Building an XI that gels and executes strategy is far harder. Northern states realised this shift earlier and embraced fearless, unconventional cricket. We need to reinvent our approach.”

“The current administration believes in a format-specific strategy — separate approaches for red- and white-ball formats. We are still in an experimental phase, barely a couple of months in. Mistakes will happen, but repetition of mistakes cannot be allowed.”

ALSO READ | Jharkhand’s Robin Minz relishing finisher’s role after successful Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign

“I don’t see the internal issues being as serious as they are portrayed. Transition is necessary. Clear communication solves most problems. Setting expectations — what players should and shouldn’t do — goes a long way. A strong mindset is important. The ability to win — or at least to dominate your opponent — has to come from within. That mindset must be developed over time, primarily through strong leadership from the head coach.”

REPLUG FROM 2023 | Sportstar South Sports Conclave: Taking cricket to TN hinterland – D Vasu, M Senthilnathan, Sunil S

“Roles and responsibilities have been clearly defined. Cracking the right formula may take months or even a year, but incremental improvement is key. As long as we continue to move forward, we’re on the right path.”

“The ambition is always to win everything, but we must be realistic. The approach now is to work backwards—from the goal to the process. Execution is far harder than planning.

What we followed for the past decade won’t work anymore. The system needs a creative, performance-driven overhaul. Other states are equally empowered now — infrastructure, technology, and talent are widespread.

ALSO READ | Prashant Veer’s journey to CSK: When failed trials met quiet faith of a few good men

We aim to lead, not follow. We have a committed administration and a restructured academy. If we create a scalable, sustainable system, success will follow. We are here for a limited period, but if we can leave behind a strong structure, the next set of administrators can take it forward.”

“We don’t walk in every day thinking only about winning the Ranji Trophy. If everything is done right—the culture, the structure, the environment—success will come naturally. A culture of winning must be built. Without that, no individual can change fortunes.

We have capable coaches. The key is transparency, open communication, and alignment between selectors, coaches, and captains. That process has already begun.”

Published on Dec 26, 2025