The Best will come for Me: Rejuvenated Sachin Baby aiming for glory with Kerala

Kerala's cricket scene has seen an upsurge, thanks in part to the infusion of seasoned players who bring not only skill but also leadership and a wealth of experience to the team.

This blend of attributes was evident in Kerala's impressive start to their Ranji Trophy campaign, which saw them secure a victory against Punjab. One player, in particular, who has been instrumental in Kerala's recent successes, is Sachin Baby, who honed his batting and leadership skills in the first match of the season.

The seasoned campaigner, Sachin Baby, is not a novice to domestic cricket. He has been a stalwart for Kerala across formats in domestic cricket. With more than 90 first-class matches and over a hundred List-A appearances, the 35-year-old has made a strong mark in the Indian domestic ecosystem.

As the new season is already in tune, Sachin has his eyes set on a successful season. During an exclusive interview with MyKhel, he opened up on an array of things.

Sachin hails from Thodupuzha, a small town in the Idukki district of Kerala, which gets its name from the river Thodupuzha. Incidentally, Sachin was born on December 18, 1988 - just a week after the great Sachin Tendulkar scored his first first-class century. While watching a teenage Sachin Tendulkar's name on Television, Senior Baby decided to name their baby boy Sachin, a name which has since become the heartbeat of a billion.

Although the current Kerala captain now plays cricket, he had a massive affinity for athletics during his childhood days. But

Kerala's Ranji Campaign

His personal account reflects a broader theme of rejuvenation and ambition that seems to permeate Kerala cricket. A critical factor behind the team's optimistic outlook for the season is the collective spirit and effective coaching that have galvanized the squad. Despite facing challenges in previous seasons, the captain has high hopes for the team this year.

"Kerala has always been doing really well in all three formats. When I started my career, people used to say that Kerala has a very good white-ball team. Everyone had the belief that we can do really well in red-ball also. And that belief is doing well in the last two years. We didn't qualify [last year], but we are playing good cricket. And this year also, definitely, the first thing is to qualify. And people say it's a tough group. But even I, as a captain, as a leader, I believe that [we can qualify].

Former India coach Amay Khurasiya took over at the helm and Sachin has only good things to say about the former India cricketer.

"We are a strong team with unity. I think after the Kerala Cricket League, only then the coach was announced. So, he only got 10-15 days maximum to work with all the players in the team. And during that 10-day camp, even he worked really hard, not in our technique, but to play as a team.

"He was a great player, and is a great human being, because with a lot of experience under his belt, he will definitely help Kerala Cricket and as a player, as a leader, it will help me also."

Additionally, the inclusion of Sanju Samson has been a game-changer, providing a significant boost to the team's capabilities. These key players have not only filled critical roles but have also uplifted the team's overall performance, spotlighting Kerala's cricketing resurgence.

A New Chapter in Kerala Cricket

The conversation also delves into the personal achievements of Sachin Baby in the Kerala Cricket League. Leading the Kollam Sailors, Sachin just didn't win the inaugural tournament, but also ended up being the highest run-scorer in the competition. Although the 35-year-old has been in the IPL mix for some seasons, he hasn't ever got an extended opportunity, and hasn't played in it since 2021.

Everyone's dream is to be there [IPL]. I have experienced that thing. And that experience has really helped me in the KCL. I have been working [for KCL]. About the tournament, that was in March when we got the confirmation that KCL will happen. So, from that, I used to work really hard...putting work each and every day for this league. And I think finally all the hard work came into the picture during the season."

Adapting to Challenges and Future Ambitions

When addressed on the topic of ageing in cricket, challenging the stigma associated with players over 30, Sachin highlights the paramount importance of maintaining personal fitness and performance levels, asserting that experience holds invaluable merit over age.

"When I hear all these age things, I just say because I have 35 years of experience going in our way. Fitness is a very important factor. And a lot of legends, like for example, Rohan Boppanna has motivated me a lot when I met him. Even he is at 43. So, he considers his age as level 43, not age 43. So, I think that I am at level 35. So, our thing is to only score runs and keep your body fit.

And if you see, even last year also, I scored a lot of runs in Ranji trophy[810 runs, 1st in Rank]. People started asking me, why are you getting selected in the Duleep Trophy also this year? So, it is God who has a plan for each and every one. So, if I was selected for the Duleep Trophy this season, I would have missed the Kerala Cricket League and these 500 runs wouldn't have happened. I believe that everything happens for a reason. And for me, it started late."

With an eye on the future, the focus for the team is squarely on securing wins and adapting to the demands of each game. The interviewee pointed out that there are no set personal milestones in terms of runs or other achievements for the season; the primary objective is to contribute to the team's victories and steer along the right direction.

The Best Will Come for Me: Sachin Baby

Over the past decade, Kerala cricket has witnessed significant growth, a development attributed to enhanced infrastructure, standout team performances, and the pivotal role of the Kerala Cricket League in uncovering and nurturing talent. Sachin has led the Kerala outfit extremely well and the Thodupuzha-born believes the best is yet to come.

"I think the best will come for me each and every time I go to bat. I don't put any score or a number to start with. Because my aim is to win as many games as possible."

In sum, Kerala cricket's landscape is evolving, fueled by a mix of veteran insight, emerging talent, and strategic foresight. Sachin Baby has been a central figure in Kerala's upsurge in the last few years. Although they are yet to breach the elusive final hurdle, the current crop believes to break it soon.