Anjali - Her First Article with her own Byline

Anjali did her internship with The Quint which was a great thing for her. But when she got an offer to pitch an idea, and the idea got approved, and she wrote a piece on DUSU elections and it finally got published today with her own byline - it was quite something else. 

Here's the piece. 

https://www.thequint.com/elections/jantar-mantar-effect-dusu-political-expectations

Good work A. And here's wishing you many more. 

The Art of Captaincy - Mike Brearley

It's the third edition. Some changes surely. Mike Brearley, is a respected psychoanalyst and author and one of England's finest captains. 

A captain's job involves holding contradictions in balance - indulging team mates yet keeping a tight leash, micro managing every dimension of team life yet with a light touch. It is about tweaking levers of influence and about planning right down to rest and pre-match warm up and training sessions. He needs to draw the balance between individual and group motivation and success, between planning and intuition, between discipline and freedom, between conscious thought and instinct, between intervention and letting be, between seeking opinion and being in command. He says the captain must know that no two lions (players) are alike. What I liked most was that he says that as he wrote the book, Brearley discovers that he badly wanted to win - which is perhaps what made him find the answers, go through the fear.

Clearly he says, the captain is responsible for results - specially losing. It's his job to get everyone together, keep the herd together. He should be flexible in his approach tactically and deploy whatever skills players have at their disposal. He has to get the best out of the team without suppressing flair and uniqueness. Each captain is different, so just be natural and find your own way.

A captain has to have the long term and short term perspective, understand tactical and psychological aspects of the game. No matter what, a captain should not panic whatever the situation. Don't be helpless, look for options. Take advise. Most importantly - don't be afraid to lose - don't be too defensive. A captain should also have a good memory to repeat patterns, find weaknesses and strengths. He should be alive to different possibilities of attack and defence, experiment and convention. He should give clear roles to his players and give clear directions while motivating his bowlers.

In choosing a captain, the old story of class vs charisma is long gone. One has to choose the best suited person in terms of leadership ability, skills to fit into the team, knowledge of the game, who brings tactical shrewdness, brings the best out of his players - and through all that delivers best results. 

The best players need not be the best captains. The qualities required of the captain are - courage, integrity, fairness, goal driven and who can take people along. He must care for his team, be a learner and a motivator and be good at planning ahead. The captain should avoid nepotism, class distinctions, elitism. He should be an avid reader of the game and its history. Most importantly he should not hesitate to take the unpopular stand.

A captain, once appointed, takes stock of his resources - assesses, plans and prepares. He understands the strengths and weaknesses of his team. He establishes his approach clearly - to win in whichever way he prefers. He plans for practice and coaching - pre-season and pre-match, fitness and net practice. He needs to be involved in building a successful side. He should have data such as videos of players at nets and matches to analyse and coach to improve. He needs to understand pitches, get information about them, have a sense of the injuries to players and how to manage them and have replacements ready. He should certainly be good enough to deal and discuss with other stake holders.

As a part of the selection committee he should have no cliques, no favorites, he should not be too close to the boys and maintain complete confidentiality. He should be able to take calls such as not changing  a winning side or picking horses for courses. Ideally pick the best wicket keeper, and have specialist bowlers to take wickets. Go with form where possible. Have clarity of goals like winning each game. Look for character in his players. 

A captain can insist on a time table for training and fielding practice where they practice close in and out field practice. He should get acquanited with ground conditions by talking to the groundsmen and others.

The captain must ensure a healthy dressing room atmosphere. He must get his team to behave like a team and help each other out in the middle and out side. He gives the example of how he and Randall once chased a huge total by putting a target of 15 minute segments and trying to survive the same. He should get his team to be supportive and encouraging, censure players who do not fit into the culture. Batting orders need not be changed unless necessary.

He gives the example of how Middlesex (his team) was playing against Surrey and after two days of rain they came out to play and got Surrey out for 40. Seeing the conditions they decided not to bat and played just one ball, declared, and put Surrey in again, got them out for 87 all out. By this time the pitch had eased out a bit and they scored 137 for 1. Hell of a gamble but makes immense sense.

Before he gets on the field the captain has to think ahead - get the players on the field together, set the right tone, set the right field,the right player in the right position, make eye contact. He has to be exact and exacting in his demands. He has to be aware of which bowler may do better from which end keeping the wind, the boundary, the type of bowler in mind. A captain should also encourage others to think from a tactical point of view, should encourage and motivate the others. He should clearly avoid favoritism and give everyone a fair chance.

While placing the field the captain should play on the batsman's mind - like leaving gaps to make the batsman commit mistakes. Typical fields are 5-4 (defensive), 6-3 (offensive) and 7-2 (in control fully). For a 7-2 field the bowler should have great skill -like Lillee who he mentions. The captain must know the range of the bowler (in fact of all players).

One of the best stories he tells is that of a lion keeper he meets who has had a 100% success rate and when asked how he manages to train lions so well he says - no two lions are alike. Brearley says its the same with people - no two people are alike and he must know how to handle each one differently and know what they respond to. He should have a general strategy, be flexible in approach as conditions change. He must constantly play on the batsman's mind and put pressure on them and serve up what they would least like to face. Most players do not know their strengths and weakness, what they are capable of. He should know if their strengths are strengths or weaknesses, if they like things a certain way. He can be innovative with fielding positions depending on conditions and batsmen. He should take advantage of the batsman's inner turmoils. Mostly, a captain should never give up. Also, trust your intuition.

Brearely is ruthless - he believes in bowling bouncers to get wickets as a psychological ploy. He says every player has their own sense of aggression - some need to be needled. For example Botham needed a stick and Willis needed a carrot and constant encouragement. He encourages the game to be played in the right spirit without cheating, sledging and so on.

While on averages he says we are all aware that some runs count more than others and averages do not tell the whole story. The classic dilemma of individual or team - he says one must play for the team success which is a product of individual success. He says groups tend to take a particular characteristic and the attitude of the group can affect the individual. It is the captain who influences his team and its character, and must nudge it in the right direction, overseeing the actions and behaviors. He should be clear, compassionate and insist on discipline. He should display courage and be ready for the impossible. He cites the case of a match when Marsh was captain and the opponent had only 78 to get and he told his team they will put up a good show. Lillee however did not buy that and said they are going to win and came back and bowled them out for 61 - a side that included Vivian Richards.

In team meetings he said its best to listen more. One can stir up the team with a ritual that is the team's own. Team meetings certainly helped he says as someone or the other brings some important insights. The captain must make everyone feel like they belong. He must also make it clear that the focus is on preparation and not the outcome. He must facilitate and encourage talks about the art and craft which helps them feel better. He must find the balance between discipline and creativity.

While on Stars and Others he says one must accept individual differences. However he says the captain can insist on punctuality, uniform, so the team looks organised. He says it might help to ask the team what they wanted from him. Definitely do not miss a chance to praise players when they do well. Also see who takes how to praise and give accordingly.

As captain he must also be aware that allotting rooms is important so players are comfortable and in a growing environment and not rub off on each other badly. He should set high standards and expect it. He has to earn respect by example and allow talent to flower. He must also understand that no one is perfect and the aim is to improve playing ability, character, mental make up. He has to be tough yet considerate, strict and indulgent, instill the will to win. He should ram home the advantage and cling desperately when losing it. He should be available to receive the emotional demands and pressures from those he is responsible for.

...

Such then is how a captain should be and its an art that can be refined by learning and practicing like all other skills. Keeping notes, having discussions etc will certainly go a long way in the making of a successful captain.      

As a Man Thinketh - James Allen

James Allen ((1864-1912) wrote this bestseller as his third book. It has some fundamental ideas that perhaps became the founding principles of many self-help programs - the idea of 100% ownership. You are responsible for everything, make it happen. Some of this ideas.

You are what you think. It's not fate, it's you. You are the master of your fate. Always believe that. When you're stuck seek answers and you will find them.

Thought and character are one - the outer can be found in the inner. Your external circumstances grow out of your thoughts. 

 You attract what you secretly harbour - what you love, fear.

Justice is exact - you get what you deserve (or secretly desire).

Your circumstances reveal you to yourself.

You attract what you are, not what you want.

You are fighting against an 'effect' on the outside while preserving the 'cause' inside. 

Suffering is always the effect of wrong thought in some direction when you are out of harmony with yourself.

Stop whining and understand the laws. Alter your thought and witness rapid change in your conditions. Your mind determines your health. Cheerful thoughts dissipate ills.

When we think thoughts with purpose there is intelligent achievement.

Conceive a legitimate purpose in your heart and accomplish it. 

Strength grows with purpose. Eliminate doubt and fear - thought allied fearlessly to purpose becomes a creative force.

He who has conquered weakness, and has put away all selfish thoughts, belongs neither to the oppressor nor the oppressed. He is free.

The higher you lift your thoughts the more manly, upright and righteous he becomes, the greater will be the achievement.

He who would accomplish little, must sacrifice little, he who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.

The dreamers are the saviors of the world.

He who cherished a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realise it.

There is no such thing as luck. 

The strength of the effort is the measure of the result. 

Calmness of the mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.

The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good.

Calmness is power. Peace, be still. 

...

Simple, powerful and make immense sense,

Captaincy Talks Series - Talk 1

I was chatting with M, HT and MJ about captaincy the other day, and we discussed a few points which I believe can be used as guiding principles. 

Making the Journey Bearable to all - Taking Time to Mentor

1) The Captain Should Produce Results

The captain's main job is to deliver results - and he must do all he can to deliver wins. He is made captain because the team management feels that he is the best person to deliver results. He will be judged only by his results and nothing else.

2) Credit to Team, Blame to Captain

All wins go to the team, all losses and blame comes to the captain - part of the deal. So be prepared and act accordingly. When things go wrong you are left holding the baby.

3) Play the Best Resources 

The captain must ensure that the best resources are playing - the best XI must play. Any compromise will compromise the team, the result, and will affect the captains record. Even the slightest compromise under the mistaken notion that it can be covered up will haunt you at a crucial time. It's sheer arrogance if any captain feels they can do with less than the best resources. 

4) Captain Must be Fair to Earn Trust and Loyalty of the Team 

Apart from being strategically poor, not playing the best players (normally out of bias) sends a signal to the entire team that the captain is not fair. Once the team feels that the captain is not fair, he loses respect. Players start playing for themselves, the team gets divided and we lose the edge. One cannot win championships with such an atmosphere. On the other hand if the captain is fair and fights for what is fair, the team trusts him and backs him and fight as one for him.

5) Get the best Out of Everyone 

Having ensured the best XI the captain must ensure he is getting the best out of everyone by using all their skills fully. To do this the captain must have an understanding of what each one brings in terms of skill and attitude, their strengths and weaknesses. The best way is to talk to them, talk to their team mates, coaches, watch them in different circumstances etc. Most players do not know their potential. A good captain can see it and helps them achieve it. Eg. Pinch hitters, part time bowlers. Sehwag as opener and off spinner.

6) Prepare for the Toss - It's Crucial

The best XI is followed by our decision to bat or bowl after the toss. Unless there's a clear advantage in the conditions for bowlers, it's best to put runs on the board and put pressure on the opponents. It gives tactical advantage. Enough thought must go into what they course of action should be after the toss.

7) Gain a Sliver of an Advantage and Drive it Home  

All of the above is to get a competitive advantage over the opponent. The entire idea of winning is to grab the advantage and press it home ruthlessly. If we do not have the advantage we must hold on our position without slipping too far out of the game and try and get a foothold in the door and then come back. Eg. India -Australia at Calcutta, VVS Laxman's match

8) Be Ruthless

Winning is all about being ruthless. Practice being ruthless in every competition, in every game, every situation. Winning must become second nature. No relaxing. 

9) Don't Create Chances, Let Each one Earn Their Place

Ruthlessness extends to resources as well. Resources must earn their place and not be handed it out in an out-of-turn manner. This will not only hurt that resource, it will hurt the team and the captaincy record. When a resource is ready, the opportunity will create itself. The captain need not create chances. 

10) Poor, Good and Great Captains and How They Show

Under a poor captain, the entire team's performance goes down - even good players do not perform well. Under a good captain, all the main players to perform and he will carry much of the load himself. But a great captain will get everyone to perform better than their expectations. Great captains normally show their belief in the fringe players and motivate them to give an extra 10-20% which adds up heavily to the final tally. It also eases the pressure off the main players.

To get that extra edge, our job will be to focus on getting a little more out of the fringe players by believing in them, setting expectations, giving any coaching inputs etc. Eg. All good captains - MSD.

11) Hope vs Faith

The good captain operates on faith which is very different from operating on hope. Hope implies there is no belief. Hope implies we are not sure and are taking a chance. Faith comes from a stronger space that translates into the player feeling trusted. The difference in hoping and trusting shows in the players performance. Eg..MSD - Joginder Singh

12) Learn the Art and Craft of the Game 

Much of cricketing knowledge or understanding passes on through deep discussions on craft, strategy, tactics, history and story telling. Mumbai cricket revels in that culture. To gain faster exposure, captains and aspiring captains must learn to engage actively, ask questions in all kinds of fora more so with senior players, captains etc. Eg. Mumbai.

13) Great Player Does not Translate to Great Leader

The best players need not be the best leaders. So giving your star player the burden of Captaincy may not always be right. It may affect negatively in two ways - one, that the star players performance gets affected and the team performance subsequently and two, sometimes the pressure a star performer brings on the team does not aid the others to perform. Unless the star is also a good leader who can get others to perform as well, it's better to look for a different captain so team performance is not affected. The star player can focus on his game and the leader can focus on the rest of the team. (Eg Tendulkar)

14) Don't Give the Opponent a Chance to Get Up

Every little change in the course of the game gives an opportunity to seal the game - do not relax once you have the game fully under control. Finish it as soon as you can, by using your best resources, else things can go really bad if we let the opponent breathe. Eg. All games that were in our control and we let the opponents get away.

These are a few points that came out of the discussion. It was an excellent discussion and we hope to have more such.

The Feedback Series - S C

I love good feedback. When it comes unsolicited, even better. This came in today, most unexpectedly, from a student I taught last year at the Department of Dance, University of Hyderabad. Absolute treasure.

"Happy vinayaka chavithi sir 

Hope you are doing good 

S C here from MPA Bharatanatyam HCU 2026 passed out batch 

I got a job as dance coordinator in Christ university Bangalore with 8LPA

Arts management truly helped me in achieving it . I followed most of the concepts I have learned in arts management sincerely & here I am . 

I am truly greatfull to be part of the learning’s , couldn’t explain how it changed the way I see myself now , with more learning mindset , goal setting, feedback management, asking for help, wishing everyone each and everything moulding me into a better person day by day. 

I won’t stop here sir, I will crack UGC NET and try my best in securing seat as a PhD scholar in HCU again with the same learning’s that brought me till here today.

My heartfelt Thanks to you sir ."

Made my day. 

Thought for the Day - Difficult is a State of Mind

Anything difficult is a State of mind. If we label anything that seems unknown, uncomfortable, needs effort as difficult, it will get difficult and harder to achieve. 

By labelling it difficult we make it more difficult than it is, make it easier to give up, make it easier not to achieve. Your shoulders tighten, face grows long, body stiffens, heart grows heavier.

Stop labeling. Just do it. If you have up label it just say it's a breeze. It will be. Life is a State of mind.

Vinod Bhai and the Abids Second Hand Book Market

Vinod Bhai is the senior pro of the Abids Second Hand market. In the past four decades I suspect he has missed very few Sunday visits to his beloved market. To get an idea of his love for books and through them this beautiful market one must visit his blog vinodekbote@blogspot.com

Books, authors...my world expanded many times thanks to Vinod. He has gifted me several books, many I have borrowed from him, helped me buy or find some particular book I was searching for, takes my friends and guests for a tour of the market and every once in a while gives me these wonderful surprises - pictures of my books among many others.

One doesn't know if one should feel good about seeing your book in the second hand market - wondering who has discarded your masterpiece - or just feel good to see your book next to a Sydney Sheldon, Jeffrey Archer, Edward de Bono, Paulo Coelho and others. 

I think I will feel both and enjoy the moment. Thanks Vinod Bhai for spotting both 'If You Love Someone...' and 'This Way is Easier Dad' and sending me the pics.