New fitness plan for Tamil Nadu’s Ranji Trophy hopefuls

CHENNAI: In a bid to ensure the Tamil Nadu men’s probables for the Ranji Trophy are in the best shape at the start of the domestic season, the Robin Singh-led TNCA Academy and new head coach M Senthilnathan have devised a programme with focus on fitness and workload.

As part of the programme, the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) franchises have been requested to let certain players follow the prescribed routine on their ‘rest’ days. “After the players join the Ranji Trophy camp around the start of September, I want to use the time to hone their skills, formulate strategies and prepare for the matches ahead. We cannot allot a lot of time just for fitness,” Senthilnathan told TOI.

“We will try to follow the same (programme) at the beginning of the next TNCA first division campaign and during the Buchi Babu tournament (invitational red-ball event hosted by the TNCA). We want to set a base and gradually improve the players’ fitness so that they report fully fit before the domestic season,” Senthilnathan added.

Senthilnathan, who replaced L Balaji at the helm, said that the TNPL franchises have considered the bigger picture – TN performing well in domestic tournaments – and have been “cooperative”. The first leg of the TNPL concluded on Wednesday in Coimbatore, while the second phase will begin on Friday in Salem.

“The TNCA had a summer camp for about 40 boys. The selectors then prepared a list of other boys, including the regulars. The plan is to monitor them during the TNPL. We have been in touch with the teams, players and coaches,” Senthilnathan said.

“On an average, the players have three days in between the TNPL matches, and we want them to make the best use of those. We have asked the players to follow the routine on certain days. While the TNCA Academy trainers have created a fitness routine, I have prepared a workload plan for batters and bowlers.”

For Senthilnathan, “volume” is key. “A batter may face a maximum of 300 balls during the course of the TNPL. We do not know the number of balls he plays in training. Similarly, the fast bowlers will not have enough overs under their belt. When they are asked to suddenly bowl about 15 overs in a day (in a Ranji match), they struggle and get injured sometimes. We do not want such things to happen,” Senthilnathan explained.

No Ranji group games at Chepauk

The MA Chidambaram Stadium will not host any Ranji group games due to outfield renovation. “Until the end of the T20 World Cup next year, there will be no other matches at Chepauk. The renovation work will get over in January and the TNCA will then have to hand over the venue to the ICC,” said a TNCA source. It means that the MAC stadium will miss out on Ranji group matches for the second season in a row.

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