Onus on Tamil Nadu batsmen: Badani

Badani feels the Tamil Nadu batters have to rise to the occasion when it matters the most. “We are playing eight games in alien conditions and a lot will depend on how we play the new ball. The first session is always crucial and Tamil Nadu shouldn’t get into a ‘catch-up’ mode by losing quick wickets in the first session of play,” the left-hander said. With the team travelling to Lahli for their first match against 41-time champions Mumbai, Badani said playing in the Haryana town will be tough. “The wicket is one of the toughest in the country. It is one of those grounds where 270-280 will be a match-winning score. The players have to show a lot of grit to come out successful in those conditions. A good performance against Mumbai, who are the No. 1 domestic side, will be a morale booster for TN,” Badani added.

The all-rounder said Tamil Nadu will miss the services of Murali Vijay, Vijay Shankar and R Prasanna this season. “Murali Vijay has the mind-set and skill to see off the new ball. It will be good for the state to have Vijay Shankar in action at the earliest. Prasanna is a player who can handle the pressure well. He is an experienced campaigner and has the ability to come all guns blazing when it matters,” he added. 

Badani lauded the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) for bringing in Hrishikesh Kanitkar as the team coach. “The TNCA has done their homework well. Kanitkar is a cool and composed cricketer and he knows his cricket well. We have had coaches who are from the state and it is time to have an outside perspective also. Kanitkar has won the Ranji twice and is very professional in his approach, which would help the team,” the 39-year-old added. 

Badani agreed with the selectors decision to retain Abhinav Mukund as the skipper. “He is in good form, after a good Duleep Trophy where he got a big hundred. He should feel good about himself.”