രഞ്ജി ട്രോഫിയിൽ ദീർഘകാലമായി കിരീടം നേടാനാകാത്ത തമിഴ്നാട്, രാജസ്ഥാനെതിരായ മത്സരത്തോടെ പുതിയ സീസണിന് തുടക്കം കുറിക്കുന്നു. ടീമിലെ അസ്ഥിരത പരിഹരിക്കുമെന്ന് പുതിയ പരിശീലകൻ യോ മഹേഷ് വ്യക്തമാക്കി. വാഷിംഗ്ടൺ സുന്ദറിന്റെ സാന്നിധ്യം ടീമിന് കരുത്താകും. യുവ പേസർമാർക്ക് അവസരം നൽകി ഭാവിയിലേക്കുള്ള മികച്ചൊരു ടീമിനെ വാർത്തെടുക്കാനാണ് തമിഴ്നാടിന്റെ ലക്ഷ്യം.
There was a long-running joke until Tamil Nadu ended its 33-year wait for a second Ranji Trophy title in 1988 - the only way the team could have the trophy was by stealing it! Nearly four decades on, it still retains an uncomfortable currency.
At the 2023 TNCA annual day function, former president N. Srinivasan posed a question that was as simple as it was pointed: if Vidarbha could win the trophy, why not Tamil Nadu, with one of the country's best cricket ecosystems? Jammu & Kashmir's rise to the summit has since made that question harder to avoid.
On Sunday, Tamil Nadu returns to the business of answering that question when it opens its latest campaign against Rajasthan at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here.
The fixture carries its own history: Rajasthan was Tamil Nadu's opponent in the 2011-12 Ranji final. Both teams would hope this season carries them that far again - and beyond.
Tamil Nadu's new coach Yo Mahesh said on Saturday that frequent changes had denied the team stability in recent seasons.
"There were a lot of changes happening consistently, which didn't really help the team. When we have so much talent in the room, we need to trust them. We need to give them that security and a stable environment. That's when their best is going to come. We need to crack the combination. Definitely, chopping and changing won't happen that much (this season)."
The pace attack lacks experience. All-rounder Sonu Yadav is its most experienced member, with just 10 first-class matches. "Some really good fast bowlers have been coming through the junior ranks. This is an attempt to give them a starting point. They have a lot of promise, but it will take some time. When it falls into place, it's going to be something we can bank on for the next five years," the coach said.
Tamil Nadu received a boost with India all-rounder Washington Sundar joining the squad on Friday. Pacer Esakkimuthu has replaced the injured Pranav Ragavendra.