Right-hand Rubbish!

Once upon a time cricket was my reason for living. Playing cricket for me is a joyful thing. Having played cricket for years, it was an inorganic break to studies and then taking one of the noble profession. All great leaders in cricket have a clear plan for every situation. They're students of the game. This was an accidental and not a loved break, but it kept cricket away for a good time from me.

Got an opportunity to purchase a Kashmir willow that best suits my age and weight, quality and order of batting. After some swings at home and stroke practice, I was eager to again check the rhythm connect and all the connections of the ball with the bat. With my knees bent and the weight on the balls of my feet, point my toes in the direction that I wanted to hit the ball and I delivered a “Right-Hand Rubbish”.

I was not doing extras on cricket either when everyone was watching, or no one was watching ??. I miserably failed to read the pitch in positioning my Hands, Head, and Body. I tried for a few weeks, but my orthodox way of playing cricket wasn’t working as if I lost my connect. A good player of the game is the one who has the ability to understand the nature of the wicket and then alter his/her game accordingly. Looked like I need to superannuate from playing cricket and now cricket will be only in past reminiscence/stories or just to take this game as another fitness sport.

I was very critical about the fact that shot selection wasn’t the best during the past few games. It was also a race against the time, Captain & team have started losing trust in me. I was sent down the batting order, I didn’t fire when the team needed it the most. The Ask was to stick around and shout from the dugout “Hang around Uncle ” Check-in…. . I reached a situation where it has actually piqued my interest in cricket, which often leads to burnout, frustration, and a sense of failure.?

I renewed my love for cricket knowing routines are the keys. I kept it low as a 1% improvement each time. I understood my body and mental capabilities and weighed around the game. It was the time to get on the balcony and go back to basics, practice hard, watch some good cricket, restructure my techniques, adapt to new play and make my body more fit & flexible. Practice timing & line of the ball, change the power grip, track the bowler, make a controlled & powerful swing of the bat, and swiftly transfer weight to the front foot.

We all know cricket can be a tough sport on the body, however, what is often just as demanding is the ability to stay mentally fresh. I could see I am gaining the rhythm and connecting back, making these cricket saving corrections, I could reverse my play and perception around my cricket. Today, I thank myself and my team as I walk in confidently to open the innings for my team again.?

"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW

Like any sport, effort doesn’t always equal reward and at the end of the day, the ability to find other enjoyments within the game, such as getting around your teammate's success, can be the difference between unconditional love and a dying passion.

Once you find this unconditional love, the ability to stay motivated throughout an entire sport. Once I was shown a more effective way, it was an instant reminder that I must always continue to learn as there is so much information out there that I am unaware of.?