New Chepauk March 17 unveiling

The new TNCA President Ashok Sigamani has a refreshing look about him. On a Saturday afternoon, he arrives at Chepauk for an exclusive chat with this writer in a cool T Shirt and Jeans. He is engaging in his conversations with his team members at the TNCA and as he has always been gives a patient hearing to their views. Operations Manager  and former coach of Santhome, Srinivasa Rao, whom Ashok has known from his cricketing days in the late 1980s expresses disappointment at the non-selection of a few ‘performing’  players(u19 India) in the TNPL auction that ended last evening. Ashok hears him out but at the same time points to the fact that it is a franchisee choice to select and the TNCA could have no say in those matters.

Even more interestingly, his 13 year old son Siga Ponmudi – a left handed bat and leg spinner - was not included in the State U14 squad, a fate that Ashok himself met just under 35years ago. He has the same view now as he had in those days when he was a teenager “All those that have interacted with me know about my straight forward approach. I will have no say in the selection of my son in the same way I did not want my appa to have any ( influence) when I was a teenage cricketer. And that is exactly what I have instilled in my son - To perform extraordinarily and get selected will be the model for my son in selection matters.”

He is also aware that if his son does get selected in the future in age group cricket, it will be 'attributed' to his powerful position. 

Ashok Sigamani is all excited about the reconstructed stadium that will be inaugurated by the TN CM on March 17, just under 10 days before the ODI against Australia. He took this writer on a hot Saturday afternoon providing an exclusive preview to the newly constructed player’s dressing room, the cafeteria, the umpires’  and scorer’s rooms that have all been rebuilt from scratch and compares with the best of overseas stadia infrastructure.  The old Pavilion and terrace had been completely brought down and the work had started after the Pandemic.

Probably for the first time in the country, there will be an official guided tour inside the stadium with about 20 people per group. Ashok said that he was quite shocked to hear from fellow cricketers from Doctor fraternity with whom he has been playing in many state and national tournaments that they have never had a chance to get inside Chepauk. “Whenever I have visited other countries, I have always made it a point to get to the iconic football stadiums. Hence it is important for us to allow people to have a look at this historic stadium that has been home to several thrilling matches.” 

The museum that will showcase among other things the Tied Test played in 1986 will be another new addition to the new stadium that will be unveiled to the outside world middle of next month. 

The pricing for this guided tour was likely to be subsidized for school and college students. There will also be ‘augmented reality’ that people will be able to experience on this guided tour.

It was expected that the Stadium, like many others across the country, would be renamed after a Politician and that it would be unveiled at the time of the inauguration. But Ashok says that the TN CM was very particular that an existing stadium should not be renamed and despite approval from TNCA members vehemently disapproved renaming the stadium after his appa. 

It is a terrific gesture from the TN CM to allow the stadium to continue in its existing name.

Ashok is bullish about the induction of a new state coach from Bombay “The biggest change that we need in our state is to give up the ‘selfish’ mentality and play as a team to win the Ranji Trophy. Right from the time I played my cricket to now initiating my son into cricket, the message has remained the same – Team always comes first and only if the team performs exceptionally will individuals gain recognition at the national stage. I will be having a brainstorming meeting with Kulkarni in March to understand his thought process on making TN as a cohesive unit.”

As early as the early 1990s, Ashok had set up the first turf wicket in Villupuram. However, not much progress had been made there over the last three decades. Ashok told this writer with great delight that TNPL was likely to be expanded to Villupuram in 2024 “There are two best in class grounds now in Villupuram and Vikravandi, just before the Kumbakonam bye pass. Taking TNPL to Villupuram will be a great boost for cricketers in that region.”

He says that the focus is on building cricket in the districts. “We will be setting up exclusive fast bowling and spin academies in Madurai, Trichy and Theni and will kick off this exercise this summer.”

He is also looking to take an aggressive stance on Talent Scouting in the districts “We will be setting up camps in Coimbatore, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Vellore and Kanchi among other districts to scout for talent, especially fast bowlers and spinners, who could be match winners for the state in the future.”

Ashok Sigamani is mooting the idea of a four day first division league format to help players prepare better for Ranji Trophy cricket. He is also clear that the first division matches will have to be played on neutral venues or pitches curated by neutral groundsman. “We have to move away from the current approach of ‘winning the league championship at any cost’ to ‘what’s best for TN cricket’.” 

He is also against the idea of having outstation players in the local league. He will seek support from the member clubs in this endeavor.

However, his long term view is that some of the revolutionary ideas will need to be implemented by the TNCA for the betterment of state cricket“In the past, the view has always been that these ideas will be objected by some clubs. We have to deliver things that will help in players becoming better equipped for Ranji cricket.”

Over the last decade or so, Ashok Sigamani’s days were well planned. Serving his patients in the hospital till 6pm and a round of shuttle and engaging interactions with family members in the evening was how he spent his time. While managing the hospital continues to be his profession, cricket has been his passion right from his childhood days and he says that there is something special about one’s passion “It’s so close to your heart that you want to do something productive and constructive for TN cricket. I am firmly fixed on doing 'what's best for TN cricket'.”

He is clear that TN cricket comes first in his role as the President of the TNCA and that he will try to implement things that will go towards the betterment of cricket in the state.

Very soon, all matches till third division will be played only on turf wickets. He is also putting in place a strong review system at all age group levels as well as the senior state level to make everyone accountable. Only recently, he personally had a long interaction with a state age group team and with the set of selectors “I asked them – the selectors and the captain- honest questions on the performance that took quite a few by shock. But I want everyone to be accountable with the single minded objective of giving the best for the state as a team.”

Come the ODI against Australia later next month, Chepauk will witness seating to full capacity for the first time in a decade. And soon after, all the stands is likely to be packed in full after several years and  fans will be entertained with a full round of IPL matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. For the new TNCA President, its now four months since he has taken charge. His mind is solely focused on making the TN players perform to their fullest potential. Knowing him, it is unlikely he will have a sound sleep till then!!!