D. Girish joins Tamil Nadu coaching team

D. Girish will come in for C. Hemant Kumar as one of the Tamil State senior coaches. He was a wicketkeeper-batsman during his playing days.

D. Girish was drafted in since C. Hemant Kumar has been signed by Lyca Mobiles as its coach in the TNPL League.

D. Girish will come in for C. Hemant Kumar as one of the Tamil State senior coaches. He was a wicketkeeper-batsman during his playing days.

Sportstar has learnt from reliable sources that the decision was taken during the TNCA executive panel meeting here on Monday. The other three selectors, panel chief S. Sharath, B. Ramprakash and P. Subbiah retain their jobs.

It is learnt that Girish was drafted in since Hemant Kumar has been signed by Lyca Mobiles as its coach in the TNPL League. The executive panel felt there would be conflict of interest in Hemant Kumar’s case.

The last season was disastrous for Tamil Nadu that failed to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Ranji Trophy. It is believed that much of the selection panel escaped the axe since the TNCA was more concerned about performances than selection, which they felt was largely satisfactory.

It was decided at the meeting to look out for a new head coach for the State team for the coming season. Sources mention that the TNCA will be principally looking at coaches from outside the state for the next Ranji season.

There are already names doing the rounds. Among them are Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Surendra Bhave and Pravin Amre.

Meanwhile, the governing council meeting of TNPL was also held on Monday. P.S. Raman chaired the meeting.

The council took stock of the player registration process that concluded on July 11th evening. Till 4.30 p.m., as many as 887 players had registered for the three-week Twenty20 competition that is tentatively scheduled to begin on August 27.

These include both the Tamil Nadu cricketers and players who have signed up with different TNCA league clubs. In all around 160 cricketers would be picked by the various franchises.

It has been decided that the Player draft will be conducted on July 22. The players will be divided to three groups with India players getting a maximum of Rs. 5 lakh. The state cricketers will receive Rs. 2.5 lakh and the others up to Rs. 1 lakh.

Things are also hotting up with various franchises in talks to sign up coaches. R. Prasanna will be assistant coach for Lyca Mobiles while former South African star Lance Klusener, its mentor.

Former India all-rounder Robin Singh could be roped in by the Chettinad Group. Former Tamil Nadu cricketers S. Suresh and J.R. Madanagopal are also in talks with different franchises.