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A date with the coach

Photos : Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar, N. Balaji and V.V. Krishnan.

Man with a mission W.V. Raman

Some years ago Woorkeri Venkat Raman donned the National cap with pride. Now, he wears quite a few; as a coach, columnist, soft skills trainer…and everything with a high degree of confidence. “I only do things which I enjoy, because I ful ly know and realise that each has its own set of challenges. It makes life interesting,” he says.

Raman’s stroke-filled 114 against South Africa at Centurion obviously figures high in his list of best innings, but the most special moment of his international career, according to the elegant southpaw, was making Test debut on his home ground. “For me, making it into the Indian squad was in itself an achievement. Representing the country is the greatest honour. And playing in front of home crowd in the maiden match was an unforgettable experience,” he recalls.

Did he have a role model in his playing days? “I am a great fan of Viv Richards. He was one player who played his natural game irrespective of the match situation. But I never tried to model myself on anybody,” he explains.

Raman says that he see shades of Richards in the Indian dasher Virender Sehwag. “His philosophy about batting is that the ball is meant to be whacked and he would do that as often as possible. In full flow he is a treat to a watch,” says Raman.

As the coach of Tamil Nadu team, Raman is happy that three players from the State have made it to National side, but quickly adds that he would be gladder still if they figure in the starting eleven.

Terming the current Indian side as a bunch of confident cricketers, Raman says they are playing “extraordinary cricket.” As wicket-keeper, batsman and skipper, Mahendra Singh Dhoni juggles the hats very well, he said praising the Team India captain.

Tamil Nadu’s win in the Vijay Hazare National one-day tournament in Agartala earlier this month, according to Raman, was a collective effort. Tamil Nadu has done it without star players L. Balaji, D. Karthik and M. Vijay, who are on the New Zealand tour. “Ours is a young side and has been performing well for the past 18 months. It was disappointing to lose the Ranji Trophy semi-finals. But the boys bounced back well and performed to their abilities at Agartala. I am happy we could make it in the absence of key players, which only proves that the team is not dependent on individuals,”

Raman says Lakshmipathy Balaji making a comeback into the Indian side speaks volumes about the youngster’s determination and mental toughness. “Balaji’s return from injury to cricket, let alone international cricket, is in itself an accomplishment. I wish him great success.”

Raman has a passion for golf and has plans to pursue the sport seriously. “I started playing golf in 2000. I have not played for quite a while and plan to resume shortly. I just enjoy playing it,” he says.

Through his columns in the media, Raman wants to make the readers know about the nuances of the game. “I never considered it as a forum to criticise anyone. Apart from expressing my views, I also desire to utilise the space to encourage promising young talents,” he points out.

Nicolas Cage is one of his favourite heroes. And Raman loves watching Bond movies, too, but confides that he is yet to watch the latest of the Bond flicks, the Daniel Craig-starrer ‘Quantum of Solace.’ “That’s because of work commitments. I have been travelling a lot. I long to watch the movie,” he smiles.

Fact file

Played 11 Tests and 27 One Day Internationals for India.

Batting at No.3 scored 83 in his second-innings on Test debut against West Indies.

His 114 in an ODI at Centurion Park was the first century scored by an Indian against South Africa.

Picked up four international wickets with his slow left arm orthodox.

Has been the coach of Tamil Nadu team for the past three seasons.

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