Don't sell cricket, teach it: Javagal Srinath

Former pacer not happy with mindset of a few private academies, wants KSCA to set up four centres in BengaluruBENGALURU: In 2002, when the Karnataka State Cricket Association Academy was launched at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, it was one of the first association-run academies in the country. The emphasis was on tapping rural talent and the outreach of infrastructure and coaches. But over the years, the purpose of the Academy has been diluted and it has been non-functional since the Covid-19 pandemic.

With Karnataka failing to win a title across age groups both among men and women this season, former India pacer Javagal Srinath is of the opinion that the foundation at the academy-level has to be strengthened for the progress of the sport in the state. In an exclusive interview with TOI, Srinath, who served as the secretary of KSCA for one term, dwelt on the role of the KSCA Academy and the need to groom youngsters for the longer format of the game. Excerpts:Is the relevance or players' interest in the Ranji Trophy changing?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 IPL.