Ace all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin inaugurates TNCA’s Bowling Talent Scout 2023

Ace off-spinner and all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin inaugurated the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association’s  (TNCA) new initiative – Bowling Talent Scout Pathway 2023 here on Wednesday.

Inaugurating the Bowling Talent Scout Pathway programme at the TNCA premises in Chennai, Ashwin said, “With the shorter formats being at the forefront of visibility, there is an immediate requirement to identify bowlers, especially for the longer format and it was  a noble initiative started by the  TNCA and timing of the initiative is apt.”

• TNCA can utilise my services in any capacity as I understand what it takes to play at a high-performance level: R Ashwin
• The identified budding talents from poor background would be given all sorts of assistance, including free boarding and lodging and other assistance for their sustainability in the game: Dr Baba, Assistant Secretary, TNCA.
• The talent scouting programme will commence on February 11 in Coimbatore

“There is lot of talent unidentified in the districts in Tamil Nadu. Emergence of T Natarajan is a finest example,” he added.

Elaborating on the practical challenges to be faced by a talent scout programme, Ashwin said, “Planning is one thing, and executing is quite another. As a bowling scout, you can assess and monitor the bowler’s action, his accuracy, the revolutions he imparts on the ball (in the case of a spinner), and the X factor he possesses. Identifying the right talent is the key and of equal importance is sustaining them over a period of time. TNCA can utilise my services in any capacity as I understand what it takes to play at a high-performance level.”

Ashwin also pointed out the importance of a “holistic playing atmosphere”. “The boys should have periodic camps. The coaches are here to nurture them. It is vital to have a robust supply chain of cricketers given the packed schedule these days and the number of injuries.”

Regarding the sustainability of budding cricketers, Ashwin batted for corporate sponsorships in districts like urban and metropolitan cities.

The exclusive programme has been designed to spot raw talent and to enhance and develop the best bowling talent (medium pacers and spinners). The TNCA has formed a Talent Scout Wing, which includes eminent former first-class cricketers and coaches, to unearth hidden talent, especially in the districts.

Assistant Secretary of TNCA Dr Baba said that the identified budding talents from poor background would be given all sorts of assistance, including free boarding and lodging and other assistance for their sustainability in the game.

The talent scouting programme will commence on February 11 in Coimbatore.

Features of the Talent Scout Programme

• Exclusive selection trials would be held in 13 District Centres for medium pacers and spinners. Those players aged between 14 & 24 years are eligible to attend the trials. Players from the neighbouring Districts will also be participating in the Selection Trials.
• The players attending the trials should not have played for the Combined Districts teams in the last THREE years in any age category
• The TNCA is creating 4 satellite centres other than Chennai and they include Theni, Tiruppur, Trichy and Madurai. Along with Chennai, Theni and Tiruppur will be High Performance Satellite Centres.
• The plans for launching all the Satellite centres including Trichy and Madurai are underway and we shall organize a separate meet for the same
• The TNCA will also utilize the facilities at the 4 TNPL Centres at Tirunelveli, Natham, Salem and Coimbatore along with the facility at Villupuram.
• The idea behind the use of various centres across the state is also to provide the players an experience of playing under different conditions and also to provide ample rest for the wickets to stay fresh and lively.
• The TNCA Academy would design programs for every individual camps to improve player skills and fitness.

TNCA Office-bearers, former coaches and coaches from the districts were present.