Bla Bla » defense got off the field and we shut them down

Fourteen years ago, Robin Uthappa, a teenage batsman who came with the reputation of being Karnatakas batting future, replaced J Arunkumar in the state side before the start of the domestic season. Arunkumar, a senior player and part of Ranji Trophy-winning sides in 1995-96, 1997-98 and 1998-99, was aggrieved and turned professional, playing for Assam and Goa before retiring in 2008. Four years later, when he took on a coaching role with Karnataka, Arunkumar found himself in the same position as the selectors were in 2002-03, having to take the brave call of dropping seniors.This decision, Arunkumar believes, has led to the renaissance of Karnataka cricket, taking them from an almost there side to back-to-back Ranji Trophy titles in 2013-14 and 2014-15. It is a process he is prepared to stick to as Karnataka look to reclaim the title they lost in 2015-16. They have begun promisingly this season, with a win and a draw from two matches.It was tough, but [there were] very conscious decisions to replace senior players like KB Pawan, Ganesh Satish and a few others, Arunkumar, who is now head coach, told ESPNcricinfo. That call was a must then because the team management was mindful of the bigger picture. By that I mean, by 26-27 if a cricketer wasnt playing for India A at least, chances of the national cap were remote. We didnt want a situation where a player is just happy playing state cricket and then going away. It was a bold decision we took when asked to present a roadmap for the state team, one that has worked wonderfully so far.Arunkumar said the decision to part with senior players put tremendous pressure on the youngsters, with some of them scrutinised on a match-by-match basis. When Arunkumar took over as batting coach before the 2012-13 season, KL Rahul was not a regular in the side. Karun Nair, Mayank Agarwal and Shreyas Gopal had not made their first-class debuts. Manish Pandey was far from national reckoning and Uthappa was struggling with form and fitness after being left out of the India team.Rahul, for example, made his first-class debut in 2010, but was dropped after three matches. It took him two more years to re-establish himself. Nair, too, failed in his first two matches. There was pressure not to give more chances, but as coach, you have to go by instinct, and I went with my heart, Arunkumar said. Even someone like Karun Nair did well in only his third game.A lot of times I have seen, and I say it from experience, that some players are slow starters. As a coach you have to give them the confidence. You need to be transparent and straightforward, you cant be manipulative and get away; you will be sorted otherwise. We were in fact extremely lucky to have a core group in such quick time that the two championship wins brought many of them in national focus. The national focus brought with it new challenges. The price Karnataka have paid for being so successful over the past couple of seasons is that they have lost players to the national or India A teams at various stages. While it is a matter of pride, Arunkumar said the challenge lay in handling fame and remaining grounded.Luckily were in a good position where those who have played for India realise the need to not take things lightly when they return, Arunkumar said. That is the challenge for us as coaches to bring out the best in them. There is an inclination to not give 100% sometimes, but we have given everybody ownership and authority to take their decisions, else coaches will be made to look like prison wardens. Thats what we were taught in 1995-96 when we won the Ranji Trophy.In 2015-16, Karnataka suffered from the after-effects of another aspect of national-team ambitions. Senior players Uthappa and CM Gautam had a small misunderstanding over their roles in the side because of the split wicket-keeping policy that stemmed from Uthappas desire to press his case as a keeper-batsman for India, a role he had fulfilled with Kolkata Knight Riders.CM probably missed out on an IPL contract because of that, but all that is in the past now, Arunkumar insisted. CM lost a bit of credibility because no one saw him as a wicketkeeper, but he did it for the team. Robin himself realised it was affecting team chemistry. So this season we decided to let specialists handle their own jobs.With the team set to remain on the road for the next three months, Arunkumar believes bonding between the players will be vital when wins are elusive. Theyre all mostly friends even outside the cricket ground, he said. They plan bike rides, movies, treks and outings during the off season. We all regularly meet for dinners during the season too. Were even allowed to have a couple of beers from time to time to celebrate victories. As a coach, you cant be imposing and set team rules and curfews. The boys understand where to draw the line, so its fine. Fake Balenciaga 2020 . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. Fake Balenciaga . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. https://www.fakebalenciaga.com/ . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. 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BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Mike White threw for 316 yards and four touchdowns and Western Kentucky rolled to a 45-7 victory over North Texas on Saturday.Western Kentucky (8-3, 6-1) held the Mean Green (4-5, 2-4) to 232 total yards of offense, just 55 in the first half, and didnt give up a score until the game was well out of reach.The defending Conference USA champion Hilltoppers won their fifth straight and control the race for the conferences East Division title. The Hilltoppers can lock a spot in the conference championship game with a win at Marshall on Nov. 26.White connected with Taywan Taylor in the first quarter for touchdown passes of 64 and 75 yards in the first six plays of the game.We wanted to start the game off early and fast, and try to take their will, Taylor said. We did a good job of that.Taylor led with 166 yards receiving and three scores. Anthony Wales had 121 yards rushing and ran for a 3-yard TD to put Western Kentucky up 31-0 at the half.Western Kentucky had 543 yards of offense for 7.3 yards per play.Andrew Tucker ran for a 71-yard TD run in the third quarter to avoid the shutout for North Texas. Our defense got off the field and we shut them down, Western Kentucky coach Jeff Brohm said. Our defense was dominant.Alabama transfer Alec Morris stepped in at quarterback for North Texas, replacing freshman Mason Fiine who fumbled off a sack in the second quarter.dddddddddddd. Morris was 14 of 26 for 108 yards passing with an interception.Western Kentucky capitalized off the sack fumble forced by Joe Brown, and scored on the next play with a 33-yard strike from White to Nicholas Norris. Norris added another touchdown grab in the third quarter.Since 2013, the Hilltoppers are 13-1 in November, and 9-1 in three years under Brohm.Were at the point now where you win and advance and if you lose, you dont, Brohm said. Thats what makes it so exciting . Theres always something riding on the games. Every game matters. I think when thats the way it is, you have to enjoy the ride.THE TAKEAWAYWKU receiver Nicholas Norris had 66 yards receiving at halftime to reach 1,000 yards on the season. He joined Taylor (1,340 yards) as the first WKU wide receiver duo to have 1,000-yards receiving in the same season. Norris finished with 90 yards and two TDs.North Texas lost its third straight and must win out to become bowl eligible under first-year coach Seth Littrell.UP NEXTWestern Kentucky will have a week off before wrapping up the regular season at struggling Marshall on Nov. 26.North Texas hosts Southern Mississippi next Saturday. ' ' '