Karnataka's Interventions

By Vikram Afzulpurkar

Karnataka is an important centre for Indian cricket's activity and a role model for dynamic strategies by its administrators

Hub
Karnataka is now arguably the de facto headquarters of Indian cricket which statement will have the Mumbaiites and Kolkatans squirming because the former is where the official HQ is whereas the Cricket Association of Bengal in the latter has been a financial power.

Bengaluru is often a temporary home for Indian star players

Team Indian Camps
Karnataka is where the National Cricket Academy is based and this alone allows it to host players and intellectuals throughout the year, therefore moving it close to being the hub. Most Indian team camps have also been held in its capital city, Bengaluru, at least in the last 20 years. The weather simply makes it more amenable, besides, the facilities it has come up with for the NCA.


Karnataka’s talent

National Cricket Academy

Apart from this, Bengaluru is a financial superpower in India and a hi tech state offering a faster execution of projects and plans, not to mention housing some of the best minds, be they in cricket or other spheres of life.

The state, although not producing half as many players of national standing in the last decade as it did in the ‘90s has consistently proved its mettle. Their Ranji Trophy championship record is good although many would have like them to have skimmed past the finishing line in recent times. But they are a daunting opposition, not to forget that they have had three Ranji titles in the last 15 editions.

Fast Action

The KSCA Academy is able to utilise the NCA facilities

Taking the cue, the Karnataka State Cricket Association did not rest on its laurels. Shortly after the National Cricket Academy was founded in 2000, they founded the KSCA academy in 2003 with an effort to apply training techniques and philosophies borrowed from there to help tap the state’s talent.  Some early day problems meant the state academy had to close for about two years in the middle of the decade but was promptly restored around 2007-8.

Administrators Brijesh and his Highness Wodeyar

Innovations
Karnataka also took the initiative to launch the first state based premier league in the country, the Karnataka Premier League, based on the Indian Premier League model. Youngsters can now earn lakhs through this league and see a secure future for themselves at least to maintain their pursuit towards higher honours. This year, after two editions of the KPL, the Association decided to postpone the cash rich league to the end of the season in a bid to get better sponsors and allow for the right window. Dynamic thinking.

Another innovation in the season 2011-12 is to the Shafi Darashah tournament, by inviting the Ranji Trophy champion and runners-up teams, besides other star sides. No doubt financial muscle is required and the state Association is not shy to spend so that their homegrown talent can get the best exposure.

Incoming Karthik Jeshwant

Outgoing Sanath Kumar

It’s a professional world and one of their loyalists, coach Sanath Kumar has gravitated to Baroda this year. Look-alike Karthik Jeswanth, another dedicated coach and number 2 in the KSCA Academy will coach the state’s Ranji Trophy side. Particularly refreshing is the approach of the Association this year as it nominated its coach well in advance, almost four months prior to Ranji Trophy season. This will allow maximum preparation time for all. The future looks bright indeed.