When R Vinay Kumar steps out to lead Karnataka in their opening Ranji Trophy game against Jharkhand at Greater Noida on Thursday, the experienced campaigner will have his task cut out. Having guided the team to back-to-back trophies prior to the 2015-16 edition, Vinay was expected to complete a treble but the fancied Karnataka couldn't even make the knockouts last season.
As the new season beckons, Vinay's men are eager to bounce back from the slump and the skipper believes that not repeating the previous mistakes will hold key to Karnataka's fortunes.
"We are aware of the areas where we went wrong last time and we want to make sure we don't make such mistakes again," said Vinay here at the KSCA 'B' ground on Sunday.
Vinay feels the team's inability to get off to a winning start was one of the main reasons behind their disappointing campaign. "Last time, in all formats, we lost the first game. I think it's very important to have a winning start. We need to start with a victory and maintain the tempo," Vinay stressed.
Ahead of the fresh season, Vinay looks forward to create a happy dressing room.
"My role as a captain will not change drastically. I want to make sure the team works as a unit and I want to build a happy dressing room."
Following a rather quiet Karnataka Premier League, where he bagged eight wickets in as many matches, Vinay is raring to lead the team's pace attack and the 32-year-old said that he has worked hard on his fitness. "I have been working on increasing my pace and I have lost some weight. I am feeling good about my bowling and I am ready to lead the attack," said Vinay, who was the leading wicket-taker for Karnataka with 24 scalps last season.
Vinay, who played his last game for India in November, 2013, stressed that he is not worried about not being picked in the national side.
"I have received awards from the BCCI for being the best bowler or the best all-rounder in the past and I know I can keep doing well. I am not worried about not getting picked for India as I know my job is to perform well," he offered.
With two centuries and nine fifties in first-class cricket, Vinay is a useful lower-order batsman and the skipper said that he is keen on stepping up with the bat for the State team. "The lower-order plays a key role in producing outright wins. I have taken my batting seriously in the past four years and I want to continue contributing with the bat for my team," said Vinay.
Vinay added that with a balanced team, Karnataka are one of the favourites in the tournament. "Last time, we didn't finish at the bottom. We missed out of a quarterfinal berth narrowly. With a balanced side, we are good enough to go all the way," he signed off.
![]( "A leaner and fitter Karnataka captain R Vinay Kumar looks forward to lead the pace attack this Ranji Trophy season. DH Photo")
When R Vinay Kumar steps out to lead Karnataka in their opening Ranji Trophy game against Jharkhand at Greater Noida on Thursday, the experienced campaigner will have his task cut out. Having guided the team to back-to-back trophies prior to the 2015-16 edition, Vinay was expected to complete a treble but the fancied Karnataka couldn’t even make the knockouts last season.
As the new season beckons, Vinay’s men are eager to bounce back from the slump and the skipper believes that not repeating the previous mistakes will hold key to Karnataka’s fortunes.
"We are aware of the areas where we went wrong last time and we want to make sure we don’t make such mistakes again,” said Vinay here at the KSCA 'B’ ground on Sunday.
Vinay feels the team’s inability to get off to a winning start was one of the main reasons behind their disappointing campaign. "Last time, in all formats, we lost the first game. I think it’s very important to have a winning start. We need to start with a victory and maintain the tempo,” Vinay stressed.
Ahead of the fresh season, Vinay looks forward to create a happy dressing room.
"My role as a captain will not change drastically. I want to make sure the team works as a unit and I want to build a happy dressing room.”
Following a rather quiet Karnataka Premier League, where he bagged eight wickets in as many matches, Vinay is raring to lead the team’s pace attack and the 32-year-old said that he has worked hard on his fitness. "I have been working on increasing my pace and I have lost some weight. I am feeling good about my bowling and I am ready to lead the attack,” said Vinay, who was the leading wicket-taker for Karnataka with 24 scalps last season.
Vinay, who played his last game for India in November, 2013, stressed that he is not worried about not being picked in the national side.
"I have received awards from the BCCI for being the best bowler or the best all-rounder in the past and I know I can keep doing well. I am not worried about not getting picked for India as I know my job is to perform well,” he offered.
With two centuries and nine fifties in first-class cricket, Vinay is a useful lower-order batsman and the skipper said that he is keen on stepping up with the bat for the State team. "The lower-order plays a key role in producing outright wins. I have taken my batting seriously in the past four years and I want to continue contributing with the bat for my team,” said Vinay.
Vinay added that with a balanced team, Karnataka are one of the favourites in the tournament. "Last time, we didn’t finish at the bottom. We missed out of a quarterfinal berth narrowly. With a balanced side, we are good enough to go all the way,” he signed off.
As the new season beckons, Vinay's men are eager to bounce back from the slump and the skipper believes that not repeating the previous mistakes will hold key to Karnataka's fortunes.
"We are aware of the areas where we went wrong last time and we want to make sure we don't make such mistakes again," said Vinay here at the KSCA 'B' ground on Sunday.
Vinay feels the team's inability to get off to a winning start was one of the main reasons behind their disappointing campaign. "Last time, in all formats, we lost the first game. I think it's very important to have a winning start. We need to start with a victory and maintain the tempo," Vinay stressed.
Ahead of the fresh season, Vinay looks forward to create a happy dressing room.
"My role as a captain will not change drastically. I want to make sure the team works as a unit and I want to build a happy dressing room."
Following a rather quiet Karnataka Premier League, where he bagged eight wickets in as many matches, Vinay is raring to lead the team's pace attack and the 32-year-old said that he has worked hard on his fitness. "I have been working on increasing my pace and I have lost some weight. I am feeling good about my bowling and I am ready to lead the attack," said Vinay, who was the leading wicket-taker for Karnataka with 24 scalps last season.
Vinay, who played his last game for India in November, 2013, stressed that he is not worried about not being picked in the national side.
"I have received awards from the BCCI for being the best bowler or the best all-rounder in the past and I know I can keep doing well. I am not worried about not getting picked for India as I know my job is to perform well," he offered.
With two centuries and nine fifties in first-class cricket, Vinay is a useful lower-order batsman and the skipper said that he is keen on stepping up with the bat for the State team. "The lower-order plays a key role in producing outright wins. I have taken my batting seriously in the past four years and I want to continue contributing with the bat for my team," said Vinay.
Vinay added that with a balanced team, Karnataka are one of the favourites in the tournament. "Last time, we didn't finish at the bottom. We missed out of a quarterfinal berth narrowly. With a balanced side, we are good enough to go all the way," he signed off.
When R Vinay Kumar steps out to lead Karnataka in their opening Ranji Trophy game against Jharkhand at Greater Noida on Thursday, the experienced campaigner will have his task cut out. Having guided the team to back-to-back trophies prior to the 2015-16 edition, Vinay was expected to complete a treble but the fancied Karnataka couldn’t even make the knockouts last season.As the new season beckons, Vinay’s men are eager to bounce back from the slump and the skipper believes that not repeating the previous mistakes will hold key to Karnataka’s fortunes.
"We are aware of the areas where we went wrong last time and we want to make sure we don’t make such mistakes again,” said Vinay here at the KSCA 'B’ ground on Sunday.
Vinay feels the team’s inability to get off to a winning start was one of the main reasons behind their disappointing campaign. "Last time, in all formats, we lost the first game. I think it’s very important to have a winning start. We need to start with a victory and maintain the tempo,” Vinay stressed.
Ahead of the fresh season, Vinay looks forward to create a happy dressing room.
"My role as a captain will not change drastically. I want to make sure the team works as a unit and I want to build a happy dressing room.”
Following a rather quiet Karnataka Premier League, where he bagged eight wickets in as many matches, Vinay is raring to lead the team’s pace attack and the 32-year-old said that he has worked hard on his fitness. "I have been working on increasing my pace and I have lost some weight. I am feeling good about my bowling and I am ready to lead the attack,” said Vinay, who was the leading wicket-taker for Karnataka with 24 scalps last season.
Vinay, who played his last game for India in November, 2013, stressed that he is not worried about not being picked in the national side.
"I have received awards from the BCCI for being the best bowler or the best all-rounder in the past and I know I can keep doing well. I am not worried about not getting picked for India as I know my job is to perform well,” he offered.
With two centuries and nine fifties in first-class cricket, Vinay is a useful lower-order batsman and the skipper said that he is keen on stepping up with the bat for the State team. "The lower-order plays a key role in producing outright wins. I have taken my batting seriously in the past four years and I want to continue contributing with the bat for my team,” said Vinay.
Vinay added that with a balanced team, Karnataka are one of the favourites in the tournament. "Last time, we didn’t finish at the bottom. We missed out of a quarterfinal berth narrowly. With a balanced side, we are good enough to go all the way,” he signed off.