Robin Singh’s cure to TN’s woes: Revamped fitness programme, long pre-season camp and academy overhaul

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Ahead of last season, Robin took a team of around 20 players to the UK for an exposure trip, but this season they have chosen a fitness camp that began in May. “We wanted to, but it didn’t happen,” Robin said of the UK trip. “In retrospect, I would say it’s a good thing, because we had to focus on having a camp. We wanted it for a month but we got three weeks and we will have one after the TNPL as well. Ramji has got a good idea of where they are and a programme has been given to them. Players need to take the responsibility. We cannot spoon-feed people. We are not working with one individual. We are working with 150, 160 people to build a system in place,” Robin, a veteran of 136 ODIs, tells The Indian Express.

Ever since Robin, who led Tamil Nadu from 1995 to the end of his career in 2002, returned to the TN fold last season, he has emphasised on putting together a robust system. For instance, the TNCA Academy, where the coaches work with various teams in the state, has made steps to ensure that the players are ready as and when a need arises. M Venkatramana and Sunil Subramaniam are part of the academy as coaches while T Kumaran has become the bowling coach of the senior side. In recent times, players emerging out of the age-group levels have been found wanting at Ranji Trophy. Even the First Division cuts a sorry picture where under-prepared and rank-turners hinder development and give little preparation for Ranji grind.

Feeder system

While Robin admits faults in the feeder system, he says it can’t be an excuse to falter. “We know you are going to get turning tracks. Teams are getting out for 20 and 40 and 60. It is a joke. So, it is important to have good wickets. Most of the companies want to win. So, whatever it takes to win, they do it and you can’t fault them. So, the play is of no consequence,” he says.

It’s the same across the country, he says. “A player has to understand that and realise this is just for this game. It does not stop you from doing extra practice. Most people go and play Chennai league, to get a score and satisfy themselves. But it is not enough. That is why the academy becomes important. You have all sorts of pitches here, use it to improve areas that need improvement. We are here and players who want to get to the next level, have to make use of it,” Robin says.

In recent years, Tamil Nadu have struggled on seaming decks, with odd exceptions. The common reason that players often attribute has been the lack of preparation on such pitches. But Robin refuses to buy into that argument. “I don’t believe in people complaining because it is only an excuse. We were playing cricket before. Did we ever get tracks to practise seaming conditions? Didn’t (S) Sharath, WV Raman make runs? Now, you have more facilities, not less,” he pointed out.

“You can prepare a ball to swing or get a two-piece ball and let it swing. You can get a swinging ball. Why don’t you make an investment into those things? Nobody wants to spend money. Everybody wants everything on the platter. If you struggle against a moving ball, watch the ones who are playing it better, watch their technique and try to implement it in your game. Have they done that? You have to find a way. You have the likes of (L) Balaji, Tanveer (Jabbar) to help and there are others who are always ready as well,” Robin says.

Having travelled around the globe as a coach in franchise cricket as well as with international teams, Robin believes that preparation levels are holding back TN. “I’m a huge believer in preparation. Players have the hunger to perform, but they don’t know how to go about it. That is what is lacking. You have to keep improving the game rather than (set) short-term goals. If a Ranji season begins, you can’t be just preparing for opponents. There is no easy team to beat in Ranji, so you have to be on top of your game all the time. That has to be the focus. Forget about pitches. You have to prepare thinking every game is an away game,” he adds.