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 the results he produces and nothing else.

2) Credit to Team, Blame to Captain

All wins go to the team, all losses and blame comes to the captain - it's 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 the captaincy record. Even the slightest compromise under the mistaken notion that it can be covered up somehow 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 the team loses 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 fights as one for him and the team.

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 and make a mental note. Most players do not know their potential. A good captain can see it and helps them achieve it. Eg. Pinch hitters, part time bowlers. 

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 the 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 as early as we can. 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 for Players out of Turn, 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 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 more out of the fringe players by believing in them, setting clear expectations, giving 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 Cricket culture.

13) Great Players Do not Translate to Great Leaders

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. 

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

Every little change in the course of the game gives an opportunity to gain an advantage and 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. 

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

Thought for the Day - Job of the Mentor

Apart from overseeing things, guiding, being there, and making adjustments where required, I realised that I had one more job that I felt I had to assume.

As mentor, my job is to hold the energy of the players so they can leave their fears, doubts and apprehensions behind and play freely to their potential. My job also goes to hold the energy of the support staff, the management and keep it calm and focused on the game.

When I realised it, the way I viewed the games changed. Very interesting.

Anvita Khammam Aces - Thank You Visit to Khammam

We went to Khammam on a day trip as a thank you trip for all the fans and supporters in Khammam. Checked out of the hotel and headed to Khammam at 6am. Stopped at 7 for breakfast. Reached Khammam outskirts by 11.

Chatterjee, me and Gajanan at 7

Vinay, Chatterjee and Samson at the first function hall

An auto with a poster of the team

A rally was organised and all the players and staff got into an open top mini truck and the rally began. Lots of crowds, people cheering etc. 

Visit to the Laxmi Narasimha temple at Khammam

The rally - Impressive

A stop at the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple and then to SBIT College for an interaction with students. Local boys Sahendra Mallu, Shaik Azhar, Mahesh Vipparla and Baddi Vishal Yadav were felicitated. Ved Reddy got the loudest cheers everywhere as did Sahendra.

Our team in the open truck

Another view

From there we headed to another function hall where we were felicitated and had to answer questions etc and speak a bit.

The crowd at SBIT

The backdrop behind the stage

 This was followed by a nice lunch. It was 430 by the time we were done.

Started back at 5.

Anvita Khammam Aces ends up as Runners

After a 20 day extravaganza, TG 20 finals between Anvita Khammam Aces and Hyderbad eChampions happened in fits and starts - a poor start by Anvita Khammam Aces, a half hour power cut in its 12th over, a decent ending to put up 157 on the board. 

Runs on the board in a final watched by some 30k people in the stadium, will always put the batting side under pressure. 

And so it was - Champions were 6 for 1, and then, what promised to be a good match suddenly went the other way with Anvita Khammam dropping three catches. Still, at 100 for 4 in the 13th over, it looked interesting but Champions pulled it off without further losses.

It was a well organised event with superb crowds, great energy and lots of good cricket. I enjoyed being part of a new experience. Surely, many players will be recognised and called for IPL trials thanks to TG20.

Anvita Khammam Aces - Wins the Qualifier

Anvita Khammam Aces won the qualifier and entered the finals of the inaugural TG20 tournament. Batting first Anvita posted 200 on the board with some exceptional hitting by Mikhil Jaiswal (76 no) and GSK Reddy (40 no). In reply Hyderabad e Champions ended up at 190 for 7 with Sai Vikas Reddy scoring a half century and useful contributions from others. For Anvita Sahendra Mallu picked up three wickets and Ved Reddy picked up two wickets. 

Anjali, Om, Shobhs, Anu, Hitesh and good brother came for the game. 

A good game in the end.

Anvita Khammam Aces Makes it to the Playoffs

 In the inaugural TG20 tournament Anvita Khammam Aces made it to the playofffs securing second position in the table with 10 points from 5 wins, three on a trot.

 Hyderabad e-Champions are at top spot with 14 points and Nalgonda is at 8 points. Karimnagar Diamonds and Ranga Reddy Risers are playing a game today with six points each and if both win (or lose) today it will boil down to net run rate. If one wins and the other loses, the winner will make the playoffs by way of more points.

Anvita Khammam Aces had an interesting journey to the playoffs. A brief look at the journey so far.

June 21, 2026

Beat Palamuru Strikers

AKA - 237 for 5 (Wafi Kachchhi 60, GSK Reddy 52, Himateja 59)

Palamuru - 217 for 6 (Vignesh 86, P Reddy 35, Ved Reddy 2-42)

June 24, 2026

Lost to Warangal Warriors

AKA - 202 ao in 19.2 overs (Mayank Gupta 54, Mikhil 54, Abdul Malik 3-35, Abhishek Murugan 3-56)

Warangal Warriors 208 for 5 in 18.5 overs (Harshit Choudary 121 no)

June 26, 2026

Beat Karimnagar Diamonds

June 29, 2026

AKA 213 for 6 (Himateja 56, GSK Reddy 43, Mikhil 64, Harish Thakur 3-40)

Karimnagar Diamonds (Satwik Reddy 63, Chandan Sahani 38, Shubham Sharma 53, CV Milind 4-21, Sahendra Mallu 2-55)

Lost to  Hyderabad e-Champions

Hyderabad eChampions 211/9 (Abhirath 59, Anvith 32, Ganesh 44, Saaketh Dhatrak 2-30, Sahendra 2-35, Ved Reddy 2-24)

AKA 155/9 (Himateja 64, Sriniketh 3-28, Murugan Abhishek 2-36)

July 1, 2026

Beat Anurag Nalgonda Knights

AKA 211/2 (Paras Raj 46, GSK Reddy 56, Himateja 80*)

Nalgonda Knights 177/8 (Gaurav Reddy 54, Ved Reddy 3-26, Kachchhi 3-35)

July 4, 2026

Beat Ranga Reddy Risers

Ranga Reddy Risers 147/9 (Gnana Prakash 36, Aditya Javaji 43, CV Milind 3-34, Harshit 2-18, Ved Reddy 2-18)

AKA 150/5 (Himateja 45, Mikhil 30, CV Milind 29*, T Arun Kumar 3-29)

July 6, 2026

Beat Medak Falcons   

AKA 190/5 (Himateja 103*, Prateek Reddy 32)

Medak Falcons 171/5 (Naman Agarwal 32, Shrunjith Reddy 60, Ishan Sharma 34*, Harshit 2-31, Vidyananda Reddy 2-7, Wafi Kachchhi 2-15)

TG20 - Anvita Khammam Aces

The TG20 is the Telangana Premier League. 8 teams, 160 players in the mix. It is the right platform for many youngsters to make a claim for IPL teams. Anvita Khammam Aces is one of the eight teams in the fray.

Grand Arena Days

I have been to Grand Arena once, a couple of years ago, to give away prizes to the Interior Decorators and Architects cricket teams. I really liked the cricket ground, the rooms around it and all the facilities there. I always felt it was a great place for teams to stay together, bond and play cricket in a camp. I remember Vidyuth had once had a camp there with the women's team of the HCA.

Morning walks around the ground or even in the neighborhood - it's kind of isolated. Bird calls, lots of birds, a nice open dining area, good food, lots of playing options, a lovely swimming pool, good friends, conference rooms for meetings - what more can you ask for. 

For cricket, one would have liked a couple of nets as well which were not yet there (under construction), the lights aren't really that good, wicket needs a bit of preparation, but that's a separate story. 

I really enjoyed my stay. Perfect for group outings - corporate, large family outings and so on.

Ramoji Film City

A day out at Ramoji Film City. Evening stay at Hotel Sitara. Many old friends and colleagues. A grand function.

Went for a morning walk in the Film City and was amazed at Mr Ramoji Rao's vision in building a film City spread over 2000 acres in 1996 at what they said at that time was an estimated cost of a thousand crores. Vision, execution. Amazing.

This is the Priya pickles Research centre. Quite amazing at identifying market gaps and filling them. Loved all their films under the Usha Kiran banner. Just so nice being in the place.

And Madhya Pradesh Wins the Ranji Trophy for the First Time!

This deserves a longer post and I will get back to it but I cannot not celebrate this today - it was fascinating cricket - some of the most absorbing I have seen in years. And to see it played in all innocence with fresh faces full of intent (not the 'we have a good game and we have bad games' types but 'we will make this count - today' types). Luckily I watched a lot of the MP and Bengal game and have been hooked since then.

What struck me first up was the balance in the bowling side - without any big names but for Kumar Kartikeya who played the IPL - seamers Anubhav (I think) and the indefatigable Yadav, offie Saransh, and leftie Sahani and how with limited resources they kept pegging away and kept knocking over the young Mumbai side. I loved the way their skipper Aditya Srivastava remains calm and unflappable in any situation - and there's a big difference between his lack of emotion and Prithvi Shaw's - where Aditya's is full of intent and holding the energy, Prithvi's bordered on the apathetic. No words, no plans, no holding of the energy. Where it was clear that every one in the MP side looked at Aditya for leadership, I cannot say the same thing with the Mumbai side where everyone seemed to have a say and an opinion. Like Coach Pandit said at the end - a lot of credit to Aditya because a good captain means 50% of the advantage is with you. Aditya had his plans and they worked (despite the commentator getting upset and wanting him to change strategies).

At a stage when Mumbai looked like it might run away to a big score the MP bowlers stuck to their task and bundled them out for 374, maybe 150 runs less than what they should have got. And then came the character - Yash Dubey and Mantri began so solidly - Yash being so compact and batting with such a straight bat that it was a pleasure to see. When Mantri who got a huge 150 in the semis got out in came the experienced Shubham Sharma and what a partnership these two built shutting Mumbai out pretty much right then. After Shubham got out came the new star Rajat Patidar. Yash Dubey shut his ears off and kept going and to me much of the credit for shutting out Mumbai bowlers should go to him. Rajat got a hundred and Saransh Jain got a 50 and the last day showed up with Mumbai making a last ditch effort and falling short. Once again, the MP batsmen showed remarkable restraint and knocked off the 108 runs to win. What a sight it was.

The way they carried their emotional coach on their shoulders, gathered around for pictures, went and acknowledged the crowd, bowed to the ground and the pavilion, spoke at the post match ceremony where Aditya came wearing his MPCA blazer - everything showed the culture around which the team has been built. I am so thrilled that I watched this match.

This is cricket at its best and thank you MP and Chandrakanth Pandit for providing such pleasure and reaffirming how the basics make all the difference.          

One Day Workshop for the Andhra Cricket Association Under 25 Boys

 When Madhusudhan Raju called me and asked me if I could do a one day program and meet with the Under 25 team that was heading out to play the CK Nayudu 4 day tournament, I was excited. Mostly because much of my writing and thinking has been around using cricket to understand personal excellence and building winning teams. I enjoyed all the cricket programs I have done over the years - with HCA's Under 17 team in 2010 if I remember - there's one Test player from that and many first class players. Then there were many with the MCC team, the trainees at Vidyuth's Academy and several with corporate teams. But the entire focus has been the same - that there is a design to winning and we can at least do these few things to plug leaks and work to greater efficiency thus increasing our chances of a better result.

Arriving at the Academy

So after some hectic scheduling thanks to Madhu, I took the 715 flight to Vizag, then a cab to Vizianagaram. They had booked a meal for me which was very thoughtful of them and the cab was waiting when I arrived at Vizag with the dignified Appa Rao at the wheel. We reached Vizianagaram after an hour and a half. It was a scenic route - the highway that connects Calcutta to Madras.

Me, Sanyasi Raju, Ramakrishna and Ratna Kumar

I was received by Mr Sanyasi Raju, Chairman of the Academy and a former Ranji Trophy player, Mr P. Ramakrishna, Manager of Cricket Operations and former BCCI umpire, Mr Jagadish, Administrative Manager of the Academy and Mr K. Ratna Kumar, Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Academy. A small memento to me, a flower pot, quick introductions and we were away. There were 22 boys of the Under 25 side, four of them had already played Ranji Trophy. The side was led by Rasheed, the India Under 19 vice captain from the latest campaign who was not present because of a felicitation. The support staff was eight in number and was headed by former Ranji player AG Pradeep, who is the Head Coach. 

I informed the team that we would follow Simon Sinek's Golden Circle for inspired work and inspired leadership (Why, How and What - Start with asking Why we are doing what we are doing, How we can achieve that objective most efficiently and What are we going to actually do) to gain clarity and also find ways to plug leaks. 

This is a format that can be used for the largest of organisations and for individuals to gain clarity and to do inspired work. I use it everywhere. One key idea was to address gaps in communication that causes much leakage. So as usual, we began with the Why.

Why are we here?

We are here to achieve a common purpose - the entire team should look in the same direction. For this team that's heading out to play a tournament - the common purpose is to WIN. Everyone is there to win the title for the ACA (which incidentally gives them the opportunity)  

Start with WHY

Common purpose - To Win

A common purpose will add a minimum 30% to team efficiency. In terms of behavior what we need once we decide the common purpose is that we need everyone to think, speak and behave with that purpose in mind - all thought, speech, actions are oriented to achieve the common purpose. Anything against it is to be called out and dropped. Like an army that has one clear common purpose, so must the team believe in it so there's no cross purpose. 

Why should we win?

The next logical Why question. There is the matter of Pride - for ACA, of each individual being part of a winning team. 

We spoke of individual benefits of being part of a winning team -

• Growth (if they win, 6-7 players will get an opportunity to play Ranji Trophy)
• Opportunities (more opportunities to perform as they play more games)
• Pleasure of being part of a winning teams
• An opportunity to create history (be the first team from Andhra to win a major championship)

I gave examples. Bombay players play more for the country (a quarter of India players are from Bombay) because Bombay won half the times Ranji Trophy was conducted. Winning teams benefit everyone including the reserves - even a reserve like Sunil Valson who was in the 1983 World Cup benefits from the winning team. So it is in their own best interests to do their best in whatever capacity they have to help the team win.

Team wins - Everyone wins (Team Loses - Everyone Loses including the Performers)

We also discussed how CK Nayudu was from Andhra and apart from being India's first captain, was also Andhra's first captain in 1953. For so many reasons, the team has enough motivation to win the tournament. 

Reality Check

Where exactly were they in the Indian cricket scene? Certainly these players were in the top 300-500, but their big push upward comes when their team wins.

How Do We Win?

They did group exercises and came up with responses. 

By giving 100% as a team, and by giving 100% as an individual.

With Head Coach AG Pradeep

Give 100% as a team

- Fix energy leakages (loose talk, low energy, groupism)
- Communicate better
- Have a learning culture
- Support one another
- Team work
- Make use of all resources
- Have more discussions around the game, how to win etc

We did some exercises/role play -
1) how the team should be as close bound as a FIST with not one player sticking out and spoiling the alignment for maximum impact
2) how the team should be close enough to hold up a person who is having a bad day 

Give 100% as an individual
- Role clarity (what is the role) - checked with the coach
- Deliver to expectations
- Prepare to deliver
- Seek help
- Form support groups
- Help one another give their best

Some learnings

Performance Management Tools
We discussed

- The Learning Mindset - a culture of learning, asking questions, clearing doubts and apprehensions
- The 10000 hours theory to gain expertise and how it can be used - strengthen strengths and then strengthen weaknesses
- Deliberate practice (doing the same thing deliberately till its perfect, deconstructing their skill and working on strengths and weaknesses)
- Being open to feedback and using feedback to constantly improve
- Importance of structured discussions about the game, skill, strategy, tactics as a culture

   

What - do we bring to the table?

- Goals - what are the team goals and individual goals for the tournament (specific numbers, runs, wickets, for the tournament, for each match)

We discussed how goals stretch and help the individual prepare better and organise thought as they head into each game. Goals also place some responsibility on each individual to bring a minimum delivery to the game in each department. We also discussed how each individual can also expand their roles to help the team when the team needs it. 

Winners CK Nayudu Tournament 2022 (in advance!) 

Strengths

We discussed the strengths of the team and the individual (and one area to improve on for both)

- Of the team -
Sticks to a plan
Good communication and coordination
Positive dressing room atmosphere
Balanced side - experience and youth
Ability to bounce back from any situation
United
Experienced coaching staff
Players back their natural game
Team can adapt to any situation
Responsible
Good work ethic
Team can handle pressure
Behave professionally
Batsmen who can play long innings
Bowlers who are consistent
Good fielding side.

Some powerful ones there - coming back from tough situations, experienced and balanced team, can handle pressure, good bonding, young side, hunger to achieve.

- Of Individuals - everyone wrote three strengths - and one area to improve - and shared the same. They all got some inputs from their team mates. Others chipped in with what they thought were that person's strengths

Strategies for the Campaign

The team formed groups and came with strategies to win - specific to the Pondicherry leg, to their team composition, attitudes etc.

The support staff - Faiz, Watekar, Pradeep,Surendra

Summing Up

I felt they have everything to actually win. If they can believe they can win, plug leakages, cut out doubt and fear, stay present and be open, they can definitely go all the way. It's that little turn that's required and maybe the day's exercises could have helped prod some thought.

Key thoughts/practices

- Believe in common purpose - the Why
- Speak the same language - support staff and players
- Be supportive of one another, don't speak negative or toxic words
- Avoid blame and excuse - in any situation - call out when someone does
- Adopt a learning mindset - ask questions, look to improve and help one another's process by sharing information or insights and practices (have a session everyday on individual insights and practices) so everyone can learn from each other - a 5% improvement in the runs, wickets or fielding is huge
- Stay open to all possibilities at all time - find ways to regroup in tough situations
- Use all resources available
- Everyone can bring one practice that brings in a 1% improvement to the team everyday in one way or another - it all adds up

Outcomes achieved

- Set a common purpose
- Connected the benefits of a winning team to each player / support staff in team
- looked at ways to perform at best as team and individual
- clarified roles and goals - placed responsibility on each individual to deliver at potential
- shared performance management tools
- formed strategies to win

Winding Up

Jagadish, Manager of the facility was extremely good at handling the entire show and treated me extremely well. It was a pleasure meeting AG Pradeep who is the Coach of the team, Watekar, and Vijay Kumar, both ex Ranji players who are serving as Batting and Bowling Coaches respectively, and a whole bunch of others.

In the end it was extremely satisfying to see the boys actually say they started believing they can win, that they will think like a leader even if they are a reserve and that they will do their best to help the team cause.    

Day well spent. I had a tiring but extremely satisfying day so the snack box on the return journey was hugely welcome.

      

A Small MCC Reunion

 Chandra was in town so we planned an MCC reunion - a small one. Ram, Ranjan and I went and picked up Chandra at Hotel Minerva in Secunderabad and drove to the MLJ Cricket Academy where we knocked around a few balls. Bhupinder helped us and we all enjoyed playing around for an hour.

Pavan, Suri, Ranjan, Me, Chandra and Ram

At 7, Pavan, Subbu and Suri landed up and we all went to Yatri Nivas for dinner and drinks. Old games were recalled and many fun memories from almost 25 years ago were relived. In 1994 we won the League championship and we repeated the same in 1997. Those were fun days and like I say, the feeling of having accomplished something together is something else.

Six of us in the above pic are here - spot them!

As always we planned a bigger get together. I am hoping we do it soon.   

India Loses the World Test Cricket Championship - Lessons to Learn

 India, despite top billing, lost the final of the World Test Championships to New Zealand. We cannot take away anything from New Zealand because they have beaten us in the one day World Cup and for all purposes beat England too in the final and they have beaten us here fair and square. In fact we may have many lessons to learn form this tiny cricket playing nation about what cricket is all about. 

Some lessons that come to mind are about leadership, playing together like a team and doing the small things right. Other factors could be the way they keep an eye on reality and make adjustments to the process.

There is much talk that goes on about process and how we should not be worried about the result as long as the process is right. But there is another important angle to this - if the result is not right most times, then we must revisit the process, the execution. The result is the outcome of your process, the feedback on your system. When the results are a bit stark and in your face, we must have the humility and learning mindset to analyse what went wrong, revisit the process and make necessary adjustments. In the end, the outcomes must reflect processes and must be used as valuable feedback for the processes.

Of the many lessons, I hope this is the first one to learn. To accept mistakes, to correct them and not look for reasons elsewhere. It is not about one session or one Test - New Zealand have ticked more boxes with far lesser resources than we have - and twice. Including winning the crucial sessions. Ponder over that instead of glossing over it.    

A Meeting of Old Mates - The Osmania 1990 team

 Ever since we met in August 2019, our teammates of Osmania University cricket team, the winning Inter-varsity team from 1990, has been in constant touch over WhatsApp. Since six of our mates live abroad, we get to meet whenever someone visits. This time it was Mohib's turn - he was the star of the show, the 'Man of the Series' for us ad was distinctly unlucky not to have represented South Zone Universities and played Vizzy Trophy. Now working as CEO in a Forex firm, Mohib lives in Kampala, Uganda. Since he was in town we all met at Necklace Road last Saturday on Bansi's suggestion.

Bansi, EP, Srikanth and Mohib trying to get a double seater cycle going

Skipper Vijay taking off

Apparently, there is a cycling club there and Bansi was hoping we could all go cycling. I joined a bit late owing to a call from PV and by that time the cycling was done. Bansi had also bought an old jeep which was wonderful to take pictures on.

Bansi in his jeep

All of us posing on the jeep - me, Vijay, Shujath, Bansi, Mohib, EP, Venkat and Srikanth

Mohib, Bansi, Srikanth, Shujath, EP, Venkat, Vijay and me joined together for breakfast and tea at Eat Street. The weather was heavenly and we sat around joking and chatting for a long time.

Venkat,Shujath, Vijay, EP, Mohib, Bansi, Srikanth and me 

Venkat, EP, Zia (Mohib's bil) and Shujath

The morning cuppa - Srikanth

Here comes the caffeine - Mohib, EP, Venkat, Bansi and Vijay

Bansi and Vijay in an animated conversation

Mohib and skipper Vijay

Mohib and me

Happy together - EP, Mohib, me and Srikanth

There is an energy to old teams that have done things together, that have won tournaments and championships. The joy of meeting up compares to nothing else. You can see it on our faces. 

If Rahane Did It, What About Shastri?

 This was a question many posed after I wrote about Rahane's captaincy being a critical factor in the amazing turnaround. What about Shastri's contribution, his reading of the game, his positivity, what he did to the team in the past five years? We must give him due credit said some.  We cannot take that away of course but we must address certain things and explain why it's about Rahane and not Shastri. 

1) It's The Captain's Ship 

No team will be known as the Coach's team. It will always be the captain's team. So all credit and brickbats go to the captain. The coach is an advisor. When Alexander wins, its about him, not about Aristotle. When a government makes a mistake the PM is held responsible, not his advisors. How he takes his advise is the key.

2) The Coach Can Advise at Best, The Captain Has to Use his Discretion 

A captain's greatness is not just in leading from the front and making on-field decisions but most of it lies in taking words of wisdom and discarding what does not work for him with discretion. Shastri can bring all the wisdom and experience in the world but it is up to the captain to take it in the right spirit and use it. That's why its Rahane again.

3) Great Captains Allow Wisdom to Flow In

Once again, certain captains carry an energy where the Coach or any other person with an insight, feels comfortable enough to suggest. We all know that certain people are easier to approach and certain people are not. A non-judgmental person who is like water is easier to approach. He makes everyone feel welcome, feel like they should contribute, feel like they should help - and then processes it all and uses what works for him. There is no ego, no position, no hard stance - and that's what allows things to happen. That energy is also what brings out the best from the Coach and other wise men.

Shastri vision and wisdom, his spirit and aggression, can never be questioned. Nor can Kohli's commitment and intent, intensity and drive. Between them, they have set the work ethic and built a team that is committed to excellence, a team with a purpose. But sometimes, when we drive too hard and expect certain results, it is counter-productive. There is the pressure of performing, of the result, which results in a tightening of the energy. The 36 for 9 story is a result of that. But then all that training they brought in, all of Rahane's past training in handling life and allowing it to evolve, blended perfectly when Virat left. Suddenly a void appeared, a vulnerable captain who was willing to soak in stuff emerged and everyone felt they could express themselves from this position without any pressure. What can be worse than 36! 

And simply for holding the space, for allowing everyone to express themselves, for getting all hands on board, without seemingly doing anything, Rahane did it. Like my young architect friend, Malay Deshmukh said recently when quizzed on how he organises things so well - "As an architect, I am trained to bring all the elements together and let things evolve". All of life's wisdom in that one line if we know what it means.

It's a fragile, gentle space. A space of non-action, of love. Rahane knows it.  

Rahane Does It - 11 Reasons Why Rahane's Leadership Was the Key

I was always a huge fan of Ajinkya Rahane's approach to the game - be it batting or leadership. He has a monk-like quality, a student's learning approach to cricket and life. I felt he was given a raw deal by the Indian team management in the past, dropping him when he was vice-captain, but he bore it all silently and prepared himself. And when the moment came, he was ready. I did not expect India to bounce back in the second test after the demoralising loss in the first, but when they did, I knew the reason - the leader. Here are 11 reasons why I think he is an exceptional leader, on par with the great MS Dhoni even.

1) When Fringe Players Perform Beyond Expectations, Look at the Captain

Everyone put up their hand, the most unlikely ones - Siraj, Sundar, Shardul, Vihari, Pant - the list goes on and on and includes everyone. When the fringe players play out of their skins, it is because they feel they have the space and the trust of their captain, and they go out and find their true selves. This has a lot to do with how the captain holds his space in the team. For being mature enough to allow that space, for creating that psychological safety to his team members, including the youngest and rawest, Jinks automatically becomes a great leader.

2) Actions Speak more than Words

Jinks is about action - not words. MSD was one such. Leaders lead with their actions, not with talk.

3) Transfers Ownership

A variant of the first but the great leader makes everyone feel like they own the cause - they do not feel like they are doing it for the captain - they feel they are doing it for themselves. Again, needs a mind space few have.

4) Is Not Afraid to Lose

Rahane is a great captain who will win more than he will lose simply because he is not afraid to lose. That does not mean that he will be complacent and lose or will look at the next match. He will gamble, he will push, and he will take every opportunity. He will not keep raiding the opponent den needlessly; he will do it with stealth and cunning and take away the cup.

5) He is Aggressive

Everything about Rahane's captaincy is about aggression - field placements, bowling changes, defensive strategies, offensive strategies. Not for a moment will he let the opponent breathe easy with his intuitive field placements, his bowling changes. His planning has been immaculate, his execution flawless.

6) He Creates Leaders

Jinks has already created many leaders in the team (Just as MSD had) by making them experience what it takes to be part of a winning outfit. Every member of this team now looks good enough to lead - such is the maturity they are displaying.

7) Everyone Performs - it's about the Team, not the Stars

Suddenly the team is in focus, everyone performs, not just one or two, and everyone takes the load. This is what makes world-beating teams, what makes teams that script historic wins. The team is suddenly not dependent on the stars and their star turns, everyone pitches their mite and together they bring down the opponents. Like they say, when a spider web unites, they can tie up a lion (or something like that).

8)  The Team Just Won't Go Down

To bring in a psyche where one after another, everyone puts up their hand requires the presence of a master. The leader does not need to do anything, he just has to be. No need for motivational speeches, emotional outbursts, he just is - and things happen. Another quality of a great leader

9) He Leads from the Front

When the chips are down, he leads from the front. He absorbs the pressure and lets the others perform the role. When the team knows their skipper will lead from the front, they will be willing to die for him.

10) He Has Great Love and Respect for his Mates

They say that to make your soldiers die for you, you must love them like your children. The barrage of bouncers, of injuries the Indians faced but still put themselves across the line, speaks highly of the leadership. This is what I am willing to do for my team, my leader.

11) He is Like Water

Rahane has this quality which I believe is a great one in leaders - he is like water. He melts into the background, has almost no presence you can hold on to, but he is everywhere. Its the presence that allows everyone to speak, to express, to feel free to be themselves. Only the most non-judgmental and people with zero ego, can hold that space. Like Lao Tzu said - A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.”

Ajinkya Rahane smiles shyly, is hardly seen in this team.. But he is the binding force the somehow brings them all together with his values and convictions, his presence and his wisdom. So much of MSD can be seen in him and surely MSD has influenced him. But so has Dravid and so has his wonderful learning mindset. I would love to see him in the leadership position more and more. It's rare to find such wonderful leadership qualities, such Level 5 leadership qualities. Well done Ajinkya Rahane. To me, you were the difference.

The difference is Rahane's Captaincy

 The only difference I find in this Indian team that bounced back from the 36 all out and then wrested a draw from sure defeat is Rahane's captaincy. What did he do different is a question one would ask? But then one would have to know what it means to let your team members feel enough ownership of the team that they personally feel responsible, not for the captain, but as a captain themselves, and rise to levels they have not risen before. This is the kind of a captain who does not say a word but lets go enough of the rope to allow players to think for themselves, to own their life and its trajectory, to be responsible for themselves and the team, on their own. It requires him to allow space to look within and not always look at him, to be ok with giving their best, irrespective of failure or of method. It is a culture of psychological safety.

In such cultures players like Rishab Pant or a Vihari dig deep and find the space to do it for their team, fro themselves. Its the space a monk understands. Rahane has often been compared to one but I can so clearly see the space he has created. It's rare. Its a space Dhoni could create and get the best performances from his fringe players, most unlikely players.

Its something Virat may never achieve simply because he is a star, and stars do not think this way. Only an MSD or a Rahane can, from behind. 

I feel its a good case to make Rahane the captain and allow Virat to perform as a star without this extra responsibility. 

36 All Out - Learning Must be Intense and Must Show

 It happens to the best of teams. 

A lot of questions have been raised and much has been analysed about this one inning against Australia. India was fully in control of the game and until then it looked like a matter of when. Australia would capitulate after India would ruthlessly grind out a bigger lead and then our famed world-class bowling attack would do the rest.

But no, Tim Paine had different ideas and went about reducing what the Indians thought would be a considerable lead by scoring 74 with the tail. Then the Aussie quicks came and reduced India to a humiliating 36 for nine, with Mohammed Shami injured and out of the series.

One bad session. One bad day.

One cannot put it down to that. There is a fatal flaw that is somewhere undetected within this team. Despite its talent and its belief that it can beat the best, a crack appears every now and then, that shows that somehow all is not well. Are we believing without looking really hard? Are we missing on certain aspects that need to be addressed to be a world-class team? Are we not as resilient and strong as we thought we are?

I feel the flaw is being missed. The team lacks resilience still. Not all players are able to contribute and it still relies on a couple, or at most times, only one in the batting and one a couple in the bowling. Until and unless the others can step up and close ranks when the biggies fail, we cannot call ourselves a world-class team. On our day yes, but world-class means that they win even when it is not their day. This I believe is what one must look at - the harsh realities that we can lose a match that is fully in our hands simply because we don't have the resilience. And resilience comes from gumption and belief. From a culture where each one feels he must die for the team.

I feel that intensity is missing. There is a complacency in the platitudes and cliches we hear from the team members. It is always about the next game and how we can learn from these mistakes. Learning must show. Learning must be intense and not complacent. With this team and this talent, the quicker they fix this fatal flaw the better. Then we will have far more wins and tropies in our hands.    

My Cricketing Insights - Parag Paigankar (3) - On Physical Preparation for Bowlers

Parag receiving the "Best Bowler" and "Best Batsman" award in the Times Shield - a rare feat - from the then Chairman of the IDBI SH Khan

Parag shared another piece on physical preparation for bowlers. As in the earlier two pieces that he shared, it's very insightful.

...
In Parag's own words.

Bowlers - Physical Preparation
The preparation of bowlers, physically and mentally, is different from that of a batsman.

In this part, I am making an attempt to explain the importance of the physical aspects and preparation from a bowler's perspective

Physical aspects - Strengthening of Muscles and Bone Structure:- A frontline bowler may have to bowl 20 - 25 overs in a day. Sometimes, he/she may have to bowl for almost 1 and 3/4 day which could be 30 - 35 overs if you are pace bowler, or about 40- 45 overs if you are a spinner, in one inning. Then, there is a 2nd inning. So, the physical workload for a bowler is generally much higher than that of a batsman.

Bowlers need to do exercises for strengthening of their

i) Upper Body - Shoulders, Wrist, Back, Hips.

ii) Lower Body - Ankle, Shinbone, Calf muscle, Knees, Thighs, Abdomen

Types of Injuries

We have seen many fast bowlers, even the best bowlers in the world, with best of physique and body structure, suffering stress fractures on the back, shin bone, knees, ankle, shoulder or getting muscle tears in the hamstring, calf, groin areas mainly during mid and important stage of their careers. We have also seen many great spinners getting shoulder, back, knee, ankle or hip problems. This is mainly because the workload of the main bowler in matches is very high.

Strengthening 

Parag receiving an award for best bowling performances in University games from Raj Singh Dungarpur at Khar Gymkhana, 1988 

At the Gym
Considering the above, bowlers should go to the gym to mainly strengthen these parts of the body but under proper guidance and supervision of a trainer.

At Home
If one cannot go to the gym, then there are exercises which one can also do effectively home like pushups, pull-ups , Surya namaskars, situps/squats, lunges, skipping, cycling, front and sideways bending/stretching exercises, back+hips+ abdomen exercises on the floor mat.

Use of dumbbells for developing biceps and triceps should, however, be avoided as it leads to stiffness of muscles and it is expected to hamper your bowling. There should be good strength in muscles and bone structure should be strong but there should not be muscle stiffness which can affect bowler's rhythm and momentum

Running
I feel that bowlers should generally avoid road running or even running on a treadmill as hard surfaces put enormous pressure on ankle, knees and shinbone. They should generally be running n sprinting on grass or clay/mud surfaces in grounds or on the sand at the beach.

Duration
At least 1 hour either in the morning and 1 hour in the evening should be dedicated to physical training on a daily basis but by ensuring it is not overdone on any particular day. Running, sprints and cardio-related exercises can be done in morning and muscle strengthening exercises in the evening or on alternate days.

Weekly Schedule
Schedule for the entire week should be carefully planned out in advance, preferably in consultation with a physical trainer

How to Get the All-Important Rhythm for a Bowler
Rhythm in bowling run-up, the proper landing of the foot, the release of the ball from fingers/hand and smooth follow-through motion adds to the confidence level of the bowler.

Based on his/her bowling rhythm, every bowler comes to know from very first over that today is his/her day. Similarly, it can be an off day or match even for a very good bowler if, on a particular match or day, the bowler does not feel good about his rhythm, or at the time of the release of the ball. 

Therefore, bowlers should, during the off-season (if it is possible) have practice sessions at a nearby ground to bowl only at stumps without a batsman and with only a wicket-keeper / or by keeping stumps very close to a wall / or just taking the help of your friend to be your ball boy (to throw back the balls to you). Bowlers can use these sessions to into / maintain good bowling rhythm, to feel good about his/her run-up, bowling action, the release of the ball, follow through and practice for control over line and length as well as any new variations.

Even when net practice sessions start during the playing season, bowlers should bowl separately only with stumps and wicketkeeper for at least 30 minutes or so.

Injury and Rehab
Many great fast and medium pace bowlers had to alter their run-up and bowling action to put less stress and strain on their bodies and to avoid injury to the injured body part and thereby extend the longevity of their career. Even, spinners add/develop different and new variations while releasing the ball.  

Recovery from stress fractures and inflammations and muscle tears takes longer time to heal than expected. After healing of injury, there will be still some stiffness or mentally bowler will be conscious about the injury. So even the best of bowlers, after injury, have to go out in the nets and play in practice or domestic matches and bowl for long hours to again come back to their prime form, get rhythm, confidence and effectiveness.

Thus, proper physical training is important to strengthen the muscles and bone structure as well as improve endurance levels. At the same time, it is also equally important for bowlers to find out ways and means of having independent bowling practice sessions to continuously maintain good bowling rhythm and also to practice and develop new variations in bowling.
...

Great sharing Parag. Thanks again. I'm sure it will be very helpful to the readers.