Shaurya, is a nine year old little boy who has developed a passion for Cricket as a sport at very early age. Akin, to many boys of his age he loves playing cricket with his friends and takes pride in being part of his class team. But unlike his peers, he has keen eye for watching the game closely and has strong favorites and beliefs about the sport he loves. Shailesh, his father, has confessed that even at such a young age he out does his father for his dedication towards the game. As an insightful father, Shailesh has enrolled him for coaching nearby.
I recall having taught him how to pick up the bat and how to take stance at the crease a few years ago. Since then, Shaurya looks up to me every time I meet him and discusses what is going on in his cricketing life. Perhaps he searches for an additional audience or perhaps he is a keen learner and wants me to share my thoughts and give him some tips.
Last weekend was no different as we went over to Shailesh’s for dinner. I found Shaurya, playing cricket with his father on the terrace and I was immediately invited to join them. It was also the time to give him next lesson about the game. ‘Always look for where the ball is pitching and play the ball pitched up on a front foot. If it is short, go on a back-foot’. A simple yet most important lesson one has to imbibe very early in order to play cricket at any level.
What shocked me was his resistance to accept this first and then his constraints of applying it. He insisted on cross batted swipe at each delivery. He wasn’t able to transfer his weight on his back-foot at all. His bat refused to come down straight to the ball and his backlift was always higher than his shoulder. His instincts were just not allowing him to apply the basic rules. His father and I persisted and made him shadow practice and instructed him to perfect it.
Kids of Shaurya’s age get all too excited about flamboyance of Sehwag, Yuvraj and Dhoni. Unknowingly, they imbibe their imperfections as well. What these kids do not know is that these players have played enough and have a natural talent of hand-eye co-ordination. Now they rely more on their natural talent than their foot movement. But I am sure when they started playing cricket they would have learnt and perfected these basics.
This is where the role of the coach becomes absolutely critical now. Kids are entitled to learn from what they see, but it is the job of the coach to ensure that they don’t miss out on basics and get carried away by what they see their heroes do. The kids, with all their passion towards the game aspire to be decent (if not best) cricketers. If they fail in cricket tomorrow because what they have learnt (or not learnt) today, it will most likely hamper their self-confidence tomorrow… and Achrekar Sir wouldn’t like it one bit!!!
© Shailesh Nigam, Varun Khanna (for respective articles)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Gambhir tops test ranking… is there a captain in the making?
© Shailesh Nigam, Varun Khanna (for respective articles)
Gautam Gambhir topped the ICC test ranking two days ago, becoming the first India batsman in over four years to head the batting rankings. In an era where T20 & ODIs are ruling the roost, this comes as the most beautiful feather in cap of this Delhi batsman, who has till now lived in the shadow of another Delhi bat who is most feared the world over – Virender Sehwag. This is the coming of age of sorts of the shy, yet determined cricketer, who has withstood the test of time and proven how valuable he is not just to Indian cricket, but to world cricket. And even though he has been off-colour in the shorter version of the game for some time now, nobody can take away from his capability to win a match on his own on his given day.
He is one of the cleanest strikers of the ball, and like Sehwag, when he hits them, they stay hit. Having Sehwag for company at the other end, while playing for Delhi in Ranji, or while playing for Delhi Daredevils, or while playing for India, would surely have impacted & influenced him. And to prove himself in such circumstances, when his partner is probably the most feared batsman in the world, who is so very popular and has such a huge fan following, can be difficult. But Gambhir has proven, if you keep working hard, nothing is impossible.
The other Indian batsmen who have reached this pinnacle are Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sunil Gavaskar & Gundappa Vishwanath. To be in the such august company is in itself a huge honour, and this just goes on to show the class of Gambhir. All the batsmen here have two things in common. They were all batsmen in a class of their own, each one having an enviable repertoire of clean cricketing shots, and a certain individual flair which separated them from the herd. And, each one of them has been bestowed with the responsibility & pride of leading the Indian cricket team. So, do we have another captain in the making?
Gautam Gambhir topped the ICC test ranking two days ago, becoming the first India batsman in over four years to head the batting rankings. In an era where T20 & ODIs are ruling the roost, this comes as the most beautiful feather in cap of this Delhi batsman, who has till now lived in the shadow of another Delhi bat who is most feared the world over – Virender Sehwag. This is the coming of age of sorts of the shy, yet determined cricketer, who has withstood the test of time and proven how valuable he is not just to Indian cricket, but to world cricket. And even though he has been off-colour in the shorter version of the game for some time now, nobody can take away from his capability to win a match on his own on his given day.
He is one of the cleanest strikers of the ball, and like Sehwag, when he hits them, they stay hit. Having Sehwag for company at the other end, while playing for Delhi in Ranji, or while playing for Delhi Daredevils, or while playing for India, would surely have impacted & influenced him. And to prove himself in such circumstances, when his partner is probably the most feared batsman in the world, who is so very popular and has such a huge fan following, can be difficult. But Gambhir has proven, if you keep working hard, nothing is impossible.
The other Indian batsmen who have reached this pinnacle are Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Sunil Gavaskar & Gundappa Vishwanath. To be in the such august company is in itself a huge honour, and this just goes on to show the class of Gambhir. All the batsmen here have two things in common. They were all batsmen in a class of their own, each one having an enviable repertoire of clean cricketing shots, and a certain individual flair which separated them from the herd. And, each one of them has been bestowed with the responsibility & pride of leading the Indian cricket team. So, do we have another captain in the making?
Friday, July 3, 2009
The Dying GOD...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I am the ultimate Test of resilience, strategy and skills. I demand a lot, but I deliver even more. I have ruled for centuries in hearts and minds of my followers. I was God once, but now I am dying. I am TEST CRICKET!!!
A few decades ago my son was born. They lovingly called him ODI. I saw my son grow and prosper. Which father doesn’t like his son to do better than him?! Now I have a grandchild who has been christened T20. You love him more than me and my son, I am delighted with it. But alas, you forget that they are my babies… born from me. I was God once, but now I am dying. I am TEST CRICKET!!!
My worshippers came in whites – in their purest form. The leather was red and the skies were blue. Now they follow my children wearing multicoloured pajamas at night. Makes me smile. Times have changed. I was God once, but now I am dying. I am TEST CRICKET!!!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ICC is contemplating converting Test cricket into 4 days affair with a result!!!
Bradman, Ranjit Singhji, Lillee, Thompson, Hadlee, Dev, Gavaskar, Mankad, Sobers, Richards, Holding, Marshal, Lloyd, Roberts, Garner… are a few of the Great Servants of this Great game. They and billions others who follow the game and spirit of cricket will squirm wherever they are. A few gluttonous, selfish, self acclaimed custodians of the game are hell bent to destroy very roots of this game.
Those who think Test matches don’t attract crowds should watch the Ashes series starting next week in England. Or they should see the India-Australia test match – a rivalry that has just started to brew.
They say everybody wants a result. Ask the team that looses, ‘Draw’ was the ‘result’ they wanted. Win and Loss are not the only two possible results. As somebody reminded me recently, a coin doesn’t only have two sides. Life is not only black or white. If it were, then it would be science – it is not, that is why it is an art. People are trying to kill this art in cricket.
Mankind is already on expired lease with nature. Next in line are art forms and sports. God save Cricket!
I am the ultimate Test of resilience, strategy and skills. I demand a lot, but I deliver even more. I have ruled for centuries in hearts and minds of my followers. I was God once, but now I am dying. I am TEST CRICKET!!!
A few decades ago my son was born. They lovingly called him ODI. I saw my son grow and prosper. Which father doesn’t like his son to do better than him?! Now I have a grandchild who has been christened T20. You love him more than me and my son, I am delighted with it. But alas, you forget that they are my babies… born from me. I was God once, but now I am dying. I am TEST CRICKET!!!
My worshippers came in whites – in their purest form. The leather was red and the skies were blue. Now they follow my children wearing multicoloured pajamas at night. Makes me smile. Times have changed. I was God once, but now I am dying. I am TEST CRICKET!!!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ICC is contemplating converting Test cricket into 4 days affair with a result!!!
Bradman, Ranjit Singhji, Lillee, Thompson, Hadlee, Dev, Gavaskar, Mankad, Sobers, Richards, Holding, Marshal, Lloyd, Roberts, Garner… are a few of the Great Servants of this Great game. They and billions others who follow the game and spirit of cricket will squirm wherever they are. A few gluttonous, selfish, self acclaimed custodians of the game are hell bent to destroy very roots of this game.
Those who think Test matches don’t attract crowds should watch the Ashes series starting next week in England. Or they should see the India-Australia test match – a rivalry that has just started to brew.
They say everybody wants a result. Ask the team that looses, ‘Draw’ was the ‘result’ they wanted. Win and Loss are not the only two possible results. As somebody reminded me recently, a coin doesn’t only have two sides. Life is not only black or white. If it were, then it would be science – it is not, that is why it is an art. People are trying to kill this art in cricket.
Mankind is already on expired lease with nature. Next in line are art forms and sports. God save Cricket!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Adeiu Frankie!
© Shailesh Nigam, Varun Khanna (for respective articles)
Michael Vaughan, one of the most successfull England captain and definitely Engaland's most successfull test captain has called it a day in his 34th year. He has more than 50% win record in tests, most prestigeous of his feats being bringing back the elusive Ashes to England after 18 years in 2005 under his captaincy. His small but illustrious carrier spanned a decade. More of a test player, he scored 5719 runs for England in 82 matches at an average of 41+ with 18 centuries. England and world cricket will miss this Yorkshire man for his class and poise. Good luck and Goodbye Frankie!!!
One of the things hugely debated in Cricket (specially in India) is the timing of a retirement. I guess it is time to have a little poll on what the readers on this blog think.
When do you think a cricketer should retire?
a) At a particular age (say 35)
b) When one is out of form (say, if he fails in his last five outings)
c) When the selectors make him sit out for a season or two
d) When the player is at the peak of success
e) When a player (himself) thinks he is unable to meet physical demands of the game.
My personal belief is that a cricketer knows when to hang his boots. It is the time when he realises that his body is unable to meet the demands of international cricket. Age is hardly a barrier considering Sanath Jayasuriya, form is temporary and selections are often marred with politics. A player would want to make the most at his peak so why retire?
One also acknowledges that the players, particularly in Indian sub-continent, more often than not find it difficult to identify lack of their utility for the team and thus retire in shadows of controversies. Cricket is a big thing in these parts of the world and the players are often intoxicated with the attention they receive while they are playing. They know that once they are off the field all the attention and the moolah seems to evaporate.
One really hopes that the players from sub-continent realise it when their time comes and have a heroic exits as their counterparts around the world. Anil Kumble is one man who will be hugely respected for this.
Michael Vaughan, one of the most successfull England captain and definitely Engaland's most successfull test captain has called it a day in his 34th year. He has more than 50% win record in tests, most prestigeous of his feats being bringing back the elusive Ashes to England after 18 years in 2005 under his captaincy. His small but illustrious carrier spanned a decade. More of a test player, he scored 5719 runs for England in 82 matches at an average of 41+ with 18 centuries. England and world cricket will miss this Yorkshire man for his class and poise. Good luck and Goodbye Frankie!!!
One of the things hugely debated in Cricket (specially in India) is the timing of a retirement. I guess it is time to have a little poll on what the readers on this blog think.
When do you think a cricketer should retire?
a) At a particular age (say 35)
b) When one is out of form (say, if he fails in his last five outings)
c) When the selectors make him sit out for a season or two
d) When the player is at the peak of success
e) When a player (himself) thinks he is unable to meet physical demands of the game.
My personal belief is that a cricketer knows when to hang his boots. It is the time when he realises that his body is unable to meet the demands of international cricket. Age is hardly a barrier considering Sanath Jayasuriya, form is temporary and selections are often marred with politics. A player would want to make the most at his peak so why retire?
One also acknowledges that the players, particularly in Indian sub-continent, more often than not find it difficult to identify lack of their utility for the team and thus retire in shadows of controversies. Cricket is a big thing in these parts of the world and the players are often intoxicated with the attention they receive while they are playing. They know that once they are off the field all the attention and the moolah seems to evaporate.
One really hopes that the players from sub-continent realise it when their time comes and have a heroic exits as their counterparts around the world. Anil Kumble is one man who will be hugely respected for this.
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