Tamil Nadu will begin its pre-season Ranji Trophy campaign from Thursday in the city. The selectors have picked a 30-member probables list for the camp, with nine other players — mostly fast bowlers — set to take part.

Following a disappointing Ranji Trophy campaign last year, in which the team finished sixth among eight teams in its group, TN desperately needs to pull up its socks this year.

For the fifth year in succession, TN will have a new coach in former player V. Yo Mahesh, who guided the State under-19 side to the semi-finals last year.

The camp will be spread across a couple of venues, including MAC Stadium, where it will also play a four-day game later this month.

Following the camp here, the team will travel to Ahmedabad to play a couple of pre-season games before heading to Jaipur for the opening Ranji Trophy fixture against Rajasthan, which starts on October 11.

Meanwhile, in a significant move, the association is set to appoint a new Head of Cricket in the next few weeks, who will be in charge of all the state’s teams. “He will be assisting the selectors and coaches and be involved in talent scouting and ensure the academy is run in the best way,” said TNCA President T.J. Srinivasa Raj.

“From this year, we plan to have monthly review meetings with team coaches, academy coaches and the Strength & Conditioning staff to keep a track on the progress of teams and players.”

“We are also in the process of reviving an old practice of having six to seven permanent coaches at the TNCA Academy. Apart from these permanent coaches, we will have a handful of coaches on short-term assignments who can assist during camps for the various teams,” he added.

For the camp, the curator has been asked to prepare some pitches with grass and bounce to help both batters and bowlers prepare for conditions they will get outside the State.

“We will also start earlier than usual around 8 a.m., so batters can play when there is a bit of moisture on the pitch. Though we can’t get identical conditions to what we will get up north, we will try our best to simulate it here,” said Srinivasa Raj.

Meanwhile, the MAC Stadium will host TN’s first home fixtures against Uttarakhand and Railways next month. This will be the first time Chepauk is hosting a Ranji game in two years, since the TN vs Karnataka clash in February 2024.