"Foster Youngsters for the Longer Format"- Javagal Srinath's message to Karnataka Cricket

Veteran India Fast Bowler Javagal Srinath lashed out at private cricket academies for shifting focus from nurturing rural talent to glamorising the sport.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association Academy, one of the trailblazers of the association-led academies in India, was set up way back in 2002 to tap up rural talent and provide them with the necessary infrastructure and training. However, the academy seems to have wandered away from its initial philosophy. It has been out of action since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Javagal Srinath opined that the very foundation of state cricket, that is, the academy level, needs to be empowered, and the inability to do so has resulted in the Karnataka team not being able to bag a single title across age groups in either of men's or women's cricket.

The former KSCA Secretary and India seamer expressed his deep concerns regarding the future of Karnataka cricket and stressed the need to foster longer format players.

Speaking on how much the Ranji Trophy means to players of today's generation, Srinath said, "I haven't been associated with the Karnataka team for a long time now but Anil (Kumble), Rahul (Dravid) and I follow their progress closely. Not just the senior team, we also keep a tab on age-group cricket. It was not easy to digest the (Ranji Trophy) quarterfinal defeat. I believe it is a cycle, the realisation should happen from the players' point of view and they have to reinvent themselves. Ranji Trophy is a stepping stone to Test cricket and players keen to play the longer version of the game need to excel here at this level. It requires some amount of introspection from the players in terms of where and what they want to play. I hope it is not just the IPL. If you want to connect better to the sport, the longer version is the way forward."

On whether the perspective has changed for players, Srinath said, "The orientation of the players at a young age is very important. We were lucky because our objective was just Test cricket, not even ODIs. Now it is different because the IPL is very challenging. I don't blame the tournament because it is the best tournament that we have produced not just for the country but globally. Guidance is required in emphasising the importance and depth of red-ball cricket. A good red-ball cricketer with a good cricketing brain can always shift his game to suit any other format. Adaptability becomes very important here and when you groom them from a young age, it becomes easy to switch formats. Some of the greats have already done it."

On the present structure, he said, "I don't know the existing structure because I'm pretty far away from it. That said, I think we need to insist on more two-day and three-day matches. The players have to play longer innings at the league level. That's the only way you are going to build the inclination and mindset towards red-ball cricket."

On the role of private academies, "Some of the academies do not have the right attitude or objectives, we have to be careful and mindful of them. I have nothing against private academies, but cricket should not be sold, instead it has to be taught."

After that, the former pacer elaborated on the role of KSCA Academy, "It is very crucial. I had a chat with Santosh (Menon), the KSCA secretary, recently. I suggested that the number of KSCA academies must increase. I believe that Bengaluru alone has at least 500 quality cricketers. Irrespective of which private academy they go to, the cream should be part of the KSCA Academy. It is the responsibility of KSCA to give them the best infrastructure. Having one academy in the KSCA premises does not suffice for a city like Bengaluru. We should have four association-run academies located in as many parts of the city.