FORM OF SUBSTANCE
For players, like in any other game, cricket is nothing but an undying continuous, relentless search for form. Every batsman strives to discover the magical formula that ensures that every ball meets the centre of the bat and gets him the desired result. Similarly, bowlers squeeze their shoulders and bend their backs to land every ball in the right spot to engulf the batsman in a web of doubt.
Players have begun to realize that form depends more so on fate than anything else; its arrival is as unannounced as its departure. But given the irony of form and its elusive nature, it is seldom disputed that form maybe temporary but class is permanent. The explanation for the former is no longer the job of an astrologer or scientist.
On the surface level, anyone would agree that form refers to spotting the ball early, stroking it around with supreme ease, picking gaps and sending the ball screaming to the boundary as if it were the easiest thing in the world.
An effortlessly flawless batting style is no doubt an indicator of form, but every player who has taken guard knows that this is a difficult task, tougher than smashing Shoaib Akhtar around or winning a grand slam with a Sania Mirza serve.
To raise their craft, to make what they are doing as natural as breathing, most players adopt the practice-till-you-drop-dead method. They spend infinite hours and mindless energy at the nets in order to fine tune techniques and master shot selection. But why? Because there is no substitute for hard work, no fast-forward button that guarantees hundreds in the days to come!
Examples to elucidate the above need no scanning and searching.
Sachin Tendulkar for instance, despite an unassailable 500 international appearances for India and a mammoth 25,000 odd runs under his belt, practices every possible shot, ranging from his flawless defensive stroke to his daring reverse sweeps a million times. Likewise, Anil Kumble, another fierce competitor and perfectionist, is lethal when it comes to applying pressure thanks to his long spells at the nets, where he drops ball after ball on the same spot as if it were the only thing he was capable of. The ‘golden eye’ Virender Sehwag appears no different. Despite his impulsive way with the bat, he values sound preparation as it takes him a long way when it comes to twisting the ball 360 degrees even when a bowler is hurling bombs at 150kmph.
Perfecting techniques and achieving success comes not with a stout heart; it implies absorbing the intense pressures of competition. Style is inborn while becoming natural is a byproduct of practice; so simply put, every player experiences performance related anxiety but the ones who turn the pressure round to their advantage alone survive the heat.
Thereby, without passion and ambition neither style nor success can be achieved. It takes a burning desire and a craving heart and a chest swollen with self-belief to reach the pinnacle; it is this alone that separates the great from the good. The great redefine batting with a touch of excellence and make this apparently difficult art, appear ridiculously simple and a pleasure to the eye, but don’t get taken in- nothing is easy, nothing comes free; it takes patience and awesome talent and unflagging effort to make it effortless. The mediocre, on the contrary, stick around or eventually just fade away.
Fitness has a rather unflattering history- it was more for good looks than its direct benefits on the field. But in recent times, players realize its direct bearing on performance, as it is essential to keep the body fit and strong in order to generate speed and athleticism. Modern cricket demands the cricketer to be athletic first and a cricketer later- a lesson learnt by cricketers who embrace a lifestyle where the gymnasium is as important as cricket nets.Interestingly, form, which defies all understanding, is a direct consequence of fitness, which in turn, affects performance (which is scientific and can be measured). This is explicitly evident in Kaif’s splendid athleticism on the field; Dravid’s fight against dehydration while carrying on a marathon innings; Laxman’s patience and endurance in spite of an injury in his leg.
For players, like in any other game, cricket is nothing but an undying continuous, relentless search for form. Every batsman strives to discover the magical formula that ensures that every ball meets the centre of the bat and gets him the desired result. Similarly, bowlers squeeze their shoulders and bend their backs to land every ball in the right spot to engulf the batsman in a web of doubt.
Players have begun to realize that form depends more so on fate than anything else; its arrival is as unannounced as its departure. But given the irony of form and its elusive nature, it is seldom disputed that form maybe temporary but class is permanent. The explanation for the former is no longer the job of an astrologer or scientist.
On the surface level, anyone would agree that form refers to spotting the ball early, stroking it around with supreme ease, picking gaps and sending the ball screaming to the boundary as if it were the easiest thing in the world.
An effortlessly flawless batting style is no doubt an indicator of form, but every player who has taken guard knows that this is a difficult task, tougher than smashing Shoaib Akhtar around or winning a grand slam with a Sania Mirza serve.
To raise their craft, to make what they are doing as natural as breathing, most players adopt the practice-till-you-drop-dead method. They spend infinite hours and mindless energy at the nets in order to fine tune techniques and master shot selection. But why? Because there is no substitute for hard work, no fast-forward button that guarantees hundreds in the days to come!
Examples to elucidate the above need no scanning and searching.
Sachin Tendulkar for instance, despite an unassailable 500 international appearances for India and a mammoth 25,000 odd runs under his belt, practices every possible shot, ranging from his flawless defensive stroke to his daring reverse sweeps a million times. Likewise, Anil Kumble, another fierce competitor and perfectionist, is lethal when it comes to applying pressure thanks to his long spells at the nets, where he drops ball after ball on the same spot as if it were the only thing he was capable of. The ‘golden eye’ Virender Sehwag appears no different. Despite his impulsive way with the bat, he values sound preparation as it takes him a long way when it comes to twisting the ball 360 degrees even when a bowler is hurling bombs at 150kmph.
Perfecting techniques and achieving success comes not with a stout heart; it implies absorbing the intense pressures of competition. Style is inborn while becoming natural is a byproduct of practice; so simply put, every player experiences performance related anxiety but the ones who turn the pressure round to their advantage alone survive the heat.
Thereby, without passion and ambition neither style nor success can be achieved. It takes a burning desire and a craving heart and a chest swollen with self-belief to reach the pinnacle; it is this alone that separates the great from the good. The great redefine batting with a touch of excellence and make this apparently difficult art, appear ridiculously simple and a pleasure to the eye, but don’t get taken in- nothing is easy, nothing comes free; it takes patience and awesome talent and unflagging effort to make it effortless. The mediocre, on the contrary, stick around or eventually just fade away.
Fitness has a rather unflattering history- it was more for good looks than its direct benefits on the field. But in recent times, players realize its direct bearing on performance, as it is essential to keep the body fit and strong in order to generate speed and athleticism. Modern cricket demands the cricketer to be athletic first and a cricketer later- a lesson learnt by cricketers who embrace a lifestyle where the gymnasium is as important as cricket nets.Interestingly, form, which defies all understanding, is a direct consequence of fitness, which in turn, affects performance (which is scientific and can be measured). This is explicitly evident in Kaif’s splendid athleticism on the field; Dravid’s fight against dehydration while carrying on a marathon innings; Laxman’s patience and endurance in spite of an injury in his leg.
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abhe... post something. btw, link my blogspot as well as http://threeattwenty.blogspot.com which is masquerade's blog.
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Anonymous |
9:47 am, November 07, 2006