Wicketkeeper-batter N. Jagadeesan is the lone Tamil Nadu player named in the 15-member South Zone Duleep Trophy squad, exposing the state's prolonged decline in domestic cricket.
Even as the Tamil Nadu cricketing community gathered to celebrate the start of the 10th edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League T20 competition, a development from a few days earlier has prompted serious introspection within the state's cricketing circles.
The South Zone Duleep Trophy squad, announced on Sunday, features only one Tamil Nadu player – wicketkeeper-batter N. Jagadeesan – among its 15 members. The selection reflects the side's dismal performances in domestic cricket for a while now, particularly in the Ranji Trophy.
TNCA's official social media account posted: "Congratulations to N Jagadeesan on being named in the South Zone squad for the Duleep Trophy 2026-27."
Since the 2016-17 campaign, Tamil Nadu has made the Ranji Trophy knockouts only three times – in 2016-17 (semifinals), 2023-24 (semifinals), and 2024-25 (quarterfinals).
Last season, the team finished sixth out of eight teams in its group and was ranked 21st overall among 32 teams in the Elite division. Across seven matches, Tamil Nadu managed just one outright win and took first-innings lead in two other games.
On an individual level, none of the team's batters or bowlers stood out nationally. Pradosh Ranjan Paul was Tamil Nadu's top-scorer with 564 runs, while Sai Kishore topped the wickets charts with 20 scalps. By comparison, Goa's Abhinav Tejrana – who has been named in the South Zone squad – scored 788 runs, the fifth-highest tally in the season.
While there have been criticisms surrounding some selections in the past and the constant changing of coaches every year, there is also a case for players – especially the senior pros – to take ownership after being backed for so long.
The two-time champion now prepares for the upcoming season under a new coach, V. Yo Mahesh, and a new selection committee, facing a substantial task to implement corrective measures following this wake-up call.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Cricket. Photo courtesy The Hindu Cricket.