No controversy in coach wanting his own support staff: Robin Singh

Indian cricket has been going through a lot of turbulent times of late for its off-field brouhaha than its on-field exploits. Right from Anil Kumble’s resignation to Ravi Shastri’s appointment, Indian cricket has been caught in a tangle of what is right or what had gone wrong for the team. And more often than not, it has been the off the field issues that have hogged the limelight. 

Former India all-rounder Robin Singh said there was no controversy in a head coach wanting to recruit and work with his own support staff. “Personally, I like to work with people whom I know. It’s all about the comfort level. You must work with people whom you think can understand and execute your plans or ideas. I don’t think there is any controversy in it. As a coach, I would want to work with people I am comfortable with,” he said, after a training session with Karaikudi Kaalai ahead of the second season of the Tamil Nadu Premier League at the M A Chidambaram Stadium here.

In an interaction at the TNCA, Robin Singh and Karaikudi Kaalai captain S Badrinath spoke on a variety of topics.

Robin Singh: Be it Mumbai or even Bangalore or across the globe, any form of cricket you play, people are looking at it. They are looking at a cheap buy most of the times. Teams are always looking for someone exceptional. TNPL was a stunning example in that regard. The quality of cricket was very good. We, from Mumbai Indians, looked at some seven or eight guys from TNPL. If a young player is good and we can afford to give him an opportunity, why not.

Robin Singh: I think the league in Tamil Nadu was the best league when we (Badrinath and I) played. We had a few outstation players then. We got richer with experience by playing against them. It is not only that, 20 years ago, we used to play a lot of club cricket against international players across India. That really helped us develop our cricket, that’s the kind of exposure that we got. If you translate that, TNPL is similar. What players need is exposure at the right time, when they are doing well and when there is an opportunity to grow. It is important for people to have an open mind. I see no harm in outstation players taking part in the TNPL.

Badrinath: It is a case of two sides to a story. The important part is when outstation players take part, the standard of cricket will improve and it will benefit Tamil Nadu players. The real essence of the league is taking the game to places like Natham, Tirunelveli etc. Next year, Coimbatore could even make the cut. If outstation players come, the standard will improve. If you ask me whether outstation players are needed, I would say no. They aren’t needed. But if they play, it will take tournament to the next level.

Badrinath: Last year, the tournament and the franchisee were new along with the players. We took little time in understanding what roles the players were capable of. Now, we know what we have in hand. We can plan our strategies better and can be one step ahead than what we were last year. But more importantly, we need to execute those plans in the field. Overall, we are better prepared this year.  

Robin Singh: It is important to make him understand that playing in the next level, is a different ball game. You must treat him like anyone else. There is no point in treating players differently. You must make him understand that he has talent but he has to work to succeed. He must be put through the basics too and it is important to challenge him constantly.

Robin Singh: I think we can have a league in the country. It is a big country. You can find more women taking up the sport. Australia has a league and there are probably less cricketers playing than what we find here. There is money in the system to support a women’s league and they have done well in the international stage. I hope they can get to the final at least, if not win the trophy.

Badrinath: I have some offers but I have not taken up playing domestic season this year. I am just going to play TNPL and am focussed on taking one month at a time. Mostly, I will not be playing first class cricket this year.

Badrinath: It is more of a personal decision. To be honest, I have a young family. It has been a long journey without any break and in the last three years I have been playing as a professional cricketer and it involves a lot of travel. Last year, I completed 10,000 runs in first-class cricket. To be honest, I don’t have a chance to play international cricket or even the Indian Premier League realistically. It’s more of a personal decision to not play the domestic season. I don’t feel like I have to go on and on. I have also been carrying a tennis elbow injury too and my body is also giving some signals that it has taken the load. There are no external factors in this decision of mine and I have absolutely no regrets at all in my career so far.