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. Cheap NBA Jerseys . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. Cheap Rockets Jerseys . -- Ken Appleby made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.cheaprocketsjerseys.com/ . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. Wholesale Rockets Jerseys . It says Pocklingtons lawyer filed the appeal Friday in a California court. CTV Edmonton also says Pocklington gave a $100,000 cash deposit as part of the conditions of his bail, and that he will be out on bail until his appeal is heard. Vincent Edwards Jersey . A forerunning sled crashed into the worker Thursday at the Sanki Sliding Center. The unidentified worker broke both legs and was airlifted to a nearby hospital.A review of the rest of Navan where The Gurkha stated his Classic case and Aidan OBrien had an update on US Ranger. Aasheq was a disappointment as The Gurkha stretched right away with the Kilberry (C & G) Maiden at Navan.The former had been second to Investec Derby favourite US Army Ranger in what looked a hot maiden at the Curragh but while quickening into contention two and a half furlongs out, he could never get to Moore on The Gurkha, who was never out of cruise control. Completing a treble for the Aidan OBrien team, The Gurkha came forward markedly from his Leopardstown third on debut as he strode on in impressive fashion from the front, slamming Saafarr by nine lengths.Rabbie The Bard was third, with 8-11 market leader Aasheq fading to be well beaten.Paddy Power eased US Army Ranger by a point to 5-1 for Epsom, installing The Gurkha at 16-1.OBrien said: He had a good draw and it worked out lovely. Seamie (Heffernan) loved him at Leopardstown, he was mad about him when he came in and Ryan was mad about him there.We thought he might be a French Guineas horse, he came forward lovely and youd be delighted with him today.Hes only a baby but probably learned a lot the first day, even though he got beaten. If we could get one (another run) in between we would, but its not essential.I asked Ryan if hed get further (than a mile) - he said a mile and a quarter but he wasnt sure after that. Hes a horse with a lot of pace, I wouldnt be sure about a mile and a half.Its Ryans first time here and he was very complimentary about the track.He added of US Army Ranger: Thats the route were going with US Army Ranger and always was - the Curragh, then a trial, then Epsom.He has an option between Chester and the Derrinstown and its very possible he will go to Chester. Theres a big atmosphere there, with tight bends and he has to learn a lot in a short space of time.The earlier win for Hyzenthlay was officially for OBrien but in effect was a first two-year-old winner for son Joseph, who supervised her preparation at the familys Piltown base in County Kilkenny.OBrien junior said: She was going nicely and showing plenty of speed. It was our first two-year-old to run from the hill (in Piltown) and we were not sure what kind of marker we had on them.We werent going to run her because of the ground. She might be a stakes-type filly.OBrien seniors second winner was Pretty Perfect in the Listed Salsabil Stakes (see separate race report).Denise Foster enjoyed a notable big-racce success as Lilys Rainbow won the Listed Heritage Stakes over a mile.ddddddddddddOn a day where those racing prominently fared particularly well, Billy Lees mount soon led, in company with Dragon Fei and Flight Risk close behind in third.The 16-1 chance held a clear advantage a furlong and a half out and stayed on strongly to score by three and a quarter lengths from Brendan Brackan.Lee said: That was brilliant, to be fair to Denise she said she was well, she has form on the ground and she stays well. There was no pace, so I was happy to let her bowl along in front and she enjoyed it.I knew she had a bit left in the tank and she galloped all the way to the line. You have to grind it out in that ground and she gets a mile and a quarter well.Foster, who currently has five horses in training, was recording her first win at Listed level.She said: Shes a completely different filly this year. She is so much more relaxed both at home and in the way she runs.I cant believe it, but the one thing she has is a huge heart and she kept finding more and more.I was really happy with her in the last few weeks, but I was just hoping she could finish third. Sky Racing Tickets Fast, secure racing tickets: Exclusive racing offers near you The prominently-ridden theme continued as Misty Millie powered away with the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden.Another to hail from a small yard, this time Peter Cluskey, the once-raced daughter of Dylan Thomas took full advantage of the withdrawal of favourite Creme De La, who refused to go into the stalls.Ryan Moore and the debutant Earring tried to make a race of it, but Colin Keane always had matters in hand and the 16-1 winner went further and further clear in the final furlong.Cluskey said: We thought it was a good maiden she ran in at Gowran last back end, and we thought with the ground drying out wed take our chance and see what we have.I have four horses, its great to have one like that and I think the owner is keen to hang on to her.I hope the handicapper is kind to me!The closing Navan Adventure Sports And Driving Range Handicap went to the Seamie Heffernan ridden Next Bend (8-1). 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