Sai Kishore, centre, admitted that he was not at his best this season after returning from a finger injury.
| Photo Credit: E. LAKSHMI NARAYANAN
Tamil Nadu skipper R. Sai Kishore conceded that the team has regressed from the progress made over the last couple of years after failing to qualify for the knockouts in any of the three domestic competitions this season.
Tamil Nadu’s Ranji Trophy campaign ended after a draw against Baroda on Sunday, and the team finished sixth out of eight teams in Elite Group A.
“The only way you can qualify for the knockouts is by taking 20 wickets. At least in all our home games, we have to do that, but we have failed to do so even once this season. We have to fix that,” said Sai Kishore.
The left-arm spinner also took responsibility for his own performance and admitted that he was not at his best this season after returning from a finger injury. “I played six Ranji games, but it was only by the middle of the Vijay Hazare Trophy that I got my rhythm back. The way I bowled in this game, I wasn’t able to do so earlier.”
When asked how the team and players can improve to be better prepared for such challenges, Sai Kishore stressed the importance of seizing the moment.
“We have to handle pressure in tough situations. Even if we can’t win those moments, at least we mustn’t lose the plot, hang in there and then capitalise when there is an opening. We have to try to simulate those situations during training.”
On the team’s dwindling fortunes in white-ball cricket, Sai Kishore said, “We have to play fearless cricket, especially as batters. The other teams have moved the game to the next level, but we haven’t caught up”.
Published – February 01, 2026 07:03 pm IST