Tamil Nadu’s forgettable domestic season across formats lays bare structural issues, lack of long-term vision

Tamil Nadu cricket is at a crossroads. In 2025-26, the team hit rock bottom, failing to qualify for the knockouts in all three competitions (Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy). While that alone is worrying, the bigger concern was that the side was never truly in contention at any stage of the season.

That TN’s Ranji Trophy hopes were extinguished after four games underlined just how disappointing the year was.

The key to success in the prestigious domestic tournament is having a good pool of fast bowlers capable of helping the side take 20 wickets consistently. Unfortunately, TN’s pace attack failed to deliver. Only left-arm pacer Gurjapneet Singh showed promise in the three games he played, but he lacked adequate support. Even the spinners — traditionally TN’s strength — were unable to make an impact.

On the batting front, the recurring struggles against disciplined medium pacers proved costly yet again. One reason is that batters have grown up on an unhealthy diet of spin in the first-division league and appear technically inadequate against the moving ball. 

While this is a structural issue, the association must address it through better pitches at the grassroots level; batters must also take personal responsibility to improve.

Though TN has underachieved in the Ranji Trophy, the side was once a force in limited-overs. However, even there, the team has been left behind in recent years and needs to embrace a fearless approach rather than persisting with outdated methods.

Another issue this season was in selections, especially for the white-ball leg. During the T20 competition, for instance, two players who were initially selected were sent back without playing, reflecting confused decision-making.

On the coaching front, the TNCA needs a long-term vision. Strong domestic sides like Mumbai, Vidarbha, and Madhya Pradesh have benefited from stability, offering their coaches longer tenures.

In contrast, M. Senthilnathan was the fourth different coach in as many years. The management even tried a split-coaching setup by drafting in M. Venkatramana for the limited-overs leg, with little success.

The need of the hour is a thorough review of what went wrong and to chart a clear roadmap for sustained success, instead of resorting to short-term fixes.

Published on Feb 02, 2026